Taylorstock is going to mean more to me than meets the eye.

[jeffrey]

I'm generally a pretty quiet person, so when tragedy happens in my life, I don't typically speak out.

The only reason I'm posting this is to warn the nice folks who will be attending Taylorstock as well if I start to act a little wierd or "quiet".

*deep breath*

On July 13th (as in less then a month ago) at approximately 9:00pm my father passed away.

It's been very tough for me on a number of levels. Mostly because I don't live there (New Orleans, LA) anymore and he and I never had a relationship to speak of until I moved here. Now he's gone. My mother doesn't even really know he's gone. She has extremely advanced Alzheimers and is bed-ridden for the most part in a home (because my father's health was too bad to keep up with her). My sister tried to tell her he was gone, but she just wanted to talk about her shoes or something.

I guess out of the two alternatives, it's better that he passed away first. He was already so heartbroken about his wife's condition. If she had passed away first, I'm afraid it would've killed him (literally).

I guess I'm just feeling a lot of regret about not making more of an effort to get to know my dad.

This on top of the hell I came back to at work and my insane sister that's suing me and my other sister for my dad's money (which isn't anyone's since my mother is alive) only fuels the fire.

I promise I won't be some weirdo sitting in a corner eating glue (I stopped that in 3rd grade :)).

I guess I'm just asking for some understanding if I get a little distant or something. I really am a nice guy once you get me talking and warm me up.

I just might take a little more warming up then usual. :)

This trip is going to mean a lot to me. Plus I think at this point, I really need it. So I guess personally, I have a lot riding on this to have a good time.

I'm also going to talk to Bob about a custom inlay with my dad's name/dob/dod on it (on the back, below the neck).

Thanks for understanding guys.

Only 3 more days till I fly out! :)

[buddiesorg]

Jeffrey, sorry to hear about your dad ... but I'm glad you're still coming to TaylorStock. I can't read everyone's mind, but I'm sure everyone will be caring and understanding ... and I hope you can get a special guitar. I'll be praying for you.

[jeffrey]

Thanks Buddie. I appreciate the sentiments. :)

[Bill Nichols (CaptBill)]

jeffrey...sorry about your Dad.

Here is your assignment..should you choose to accept it...
I will not be attending Taylorstock:( so I would ask you to have fun for me.... so you will need to have twice as much fun as you anticipated. Thanks.....:)

[JW]

Knowing how nice the people are on this board Im sure they will be able to take your mind off of things for a while. Your dad is gone so jsut remember the better times and remember your mom like she used to be and have a good time for both of us. I lost my dad in 94 and we never really had a father and son relationship. I did my best in the last years of his life and the only thing I ever wanted from him I never got. I just wanted him to say "I love you". he never did say it but I did tell him.

My mother(in 98) had a double anurizum(sp?) or stroke and they gave her up for dead but thanks to my wife she survived. She is very abusive to my stepfather and even my sister but not to me. She is not the same person she was before the strokes so I know a bit of what your going through. Life must go on for you! take the time out to enjoy your trip and as far as your sister goes I know that feeling also. My mother was being flown to MUSC for surgury and my sister and her daughter were sitting deviding up my mothers jewelery. Sad aint it! When My dad died I was the only one of his 6 chilren to vist him in the hospital and I had to drive 300 miles every weekend to get there. The rest stayed within ten minutes of him. After my dad died (he had money) I went to the funeral and then came straight back home. I never went to the reading of the will and when my dads lawyers called me I told them to split up money and give it to the vultures. The only thing I did keep was his 49 harley-davidson that I loved so much when I was just a child and was the first motorcycle I ever rode. I think leaving me that bike that my dad loved so much (he bought it new and babied it) was his way of telling me he loved me. He knew how much that old bike meant to me.

Like I say Life goes on and I tell my children that death is the part of life you cant avoid. For many its just the beginning. SO have a great trip! Im sure your dad would want you to. JW

[Steve314]

Jeff, please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your father.

I think if you were ever going to find yourself among people who'll make you feel at ease and will be both caring and understanding, it'll happen this weekend.

Let me know when you get to town...

Steve

[C C]

Jeff, I am very sorry for your loss. I spend time on this fourm because there is such a positive attitude and is made up of a great group of people. I can't imagine spending time with the people at Taylor Stock and not coming away feeling a little better about a lot of things.

Have a wonderful trip, Chris

[jeffrey]

Again, thanks for all the kind sentiments. It really is appreciated. :)

[cpmusic]

My condolences as well, Jeff. Like you, I didn't have the best relationship with my father when he was taken from us, so I know how you feel in that regard. I know it's a lot to bear, especially with your mother's ill health, but the fact that you reached out to others says a lot about your own mental health and inner strength, and I have no doubt that you'll get through this.

Meanwhile, come on out and don't worry about how you appear to the rest of us. I'm sure there won't be anyone there who doesn't understand.

[Mike Carter]

Hang in there Jeff,

I feel your pain. I lost my father after not talking to him for several years, do to a misunderstanding we had over my former wife. looking back I realize he was right, and very much regret my actions and attitude. I should have realized wife's can come and go but Dads don't. I can't change what happened, but I am sure my dad knows I would have done things differently given the chance. In any case we can take solace in the belief that love transends all, and they can look down on us in understanding and forgiveness.

[jeffrey]

Thanks again for the kind sentiments. It really means a lot.

I'm looking forward to Taylorstock so much. I'm sure it will be great. :)