Sunday, June 9, 2019

Spencer

We're home and it's like being in a different world after three days of rain here and the frogs are singing great tuneful choruses of orchestral, terrestrial and sublime music and I just went out to the garden in the almost dark and found squash and more baby tomatoes and peppers and I don't even know what. I was in a hurry to get to the chickens and shut them up and then get back to the house and get unpacked and get supper made and I need to make Mr. Moon's smoothie for tomorrow and a lunch for him too and it's already after nine and it's like every bit of the letting-go of it all that happened this weekend on our little trip hit its head on a big brick wall and I'm stumbling.

But mostly?

On the way home I checked Facebook to discover that our dear friend, most talented musician, and amazing human being, Spencer Bohren died last night.

He was diagnosed with a particularly horrible cancer situation at the end of last year and we knew this was coming but the finality of death is never easily taken in and that's probably the wall I'm talking about.

I've written about Spencer and his wife Marilyn quite a few times. Here's a post I did when they came to visit a few years ago. 

My heart is so filled with sadness. Not just for Spencer but for his family. For the kids and for Marilyn, his wife, who is absolutely one of the most beautiful women I've ever known and whose life has been completely wrapped with Spencer's forever.
I just can't even contemplate what this loss means to her and to their children.
But it's also a loss for the world. Spencer was beloved on many continents for his music, his grace, his joy in life, his personable ways, his storytelling, his very being. And with every bit of that, Marilyn was right there, as much a part of it as he was. Ask anyone who knew him- they'll tell you. Facebook is filled with messages of love and sorrow and respect for the whole family.


That's a picture that was taken fairly recently at Tipitina's in New Orleans where the Bohrens made their home. The community had gotten together to throw a huge party for Spencer and if the pictures are any indication, it was a most joyful celebration. That's Marilyn and Spencer and their four children, their spouses and partners, and two grandchildren. 

Well. I better get to it.

I'll catch up on your blogs tomorrow. Or at least I'll try. It's Hank's birthday tomorrow and that will be a part of my day, of course.

Take a breath. Let it go. Be grateful.

Love...Ms. Moon

25 comments:

  1. Such a happy, celebratory picture. Think of him and them and the smoothie and happy birthday to your Hank.

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    1. I know! It's a gorgeous picture of a gorgeous family on a truly amazing evening.
      Thanks for the birthday wishes.

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  2. I'm sorry for you and for his family. The memento photo is a lovely memory. Happy Birthday to Hank. I hope you all have a fine time tomorrow.

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  3. Oh Mary...so sorry for the loss of your beautiful talented beloved friend. Sending love.

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    1. Did you ever see him? He played at Gamble fest once. He was purely something amazing.

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    2. Sadly, I never saw him in person, but have seen beautiful photos and videos posted by you and Tina over the years ~ he was obviously a sweet soul with a special musical talent who was dearly loved and loving.

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  4. I am always late to the party, only this year did I discover his music and his son a friend of my son and they- all in your yard, and how it is a small wonderful world , music unites. I am so sorry you have lost this amazing friend to cancer, so sorry, Mary. Lucky to have had the exceptional friendships and times spent in such good company, though you will most certainly miss him.

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    1. It IS such a small world, isn't it, Linda Sue?
      And yes, music does unite in every way.
      I am blessed to have been a friend of Spencer's and Marilyn's. Such Grace-Filled people.

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  5. I'm so sorry Mary. Cancer is such an asshole.

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    1. I've been thinking about this, Lilycedar. About how we all view cancer as the enemy and of course it is but honestly- when cancer kills someone, it kills itself as well. It's just something that happens. Often the worst thing. But I refuse to give it autonomy. Of course, I've never had it so...

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    2. I hate the suffering it causes. It's just doing what cells do, trying to survive.

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  6. I am so sorry about the loss of your friend. He was clearly so loved. My heart goes out to his family.

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    1. SO loved. My Facebook has blown up with memories and love from all parts of the world for Spencer. He was truly amazing.

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  7. I didn't know of Spencer Bohren or his music but in his honour I have just been listening to "The Long Black Line" via YouTube. A powerful, jarring song that really makes you think.

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    1. Listen to his version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" too. It's transcendent.

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  8. so sorry that you have lost another friend. that sucks.

    the only thing that liked our torrential rain last week was the frogs. they sang through the whole thing.

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  9. Oh Mary. I haven't visited in ages and I've missed you. I'm so sorry about Spencer. He's singing Hallelujah to me right now as I type - thank you for the link to the 2016 post. You have surrounded yourself with the best kind of people, that's why they're even harder to lose.

    Life just keeps getting sadder, I don't know where to put my tears. Stay well, my friend. Love your people and especially yourself hard. Happy Birthday to Hank. xxoo

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  10. I'm so very sorry for your loss. As if aging wasn't difficult enough, we seem to lose more and more beloved as we get older. It never gets easier.
    Happy birthday to Hank.
    Xoxo
    Barbara
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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  11. It is so hard to lose a cherished and dear friend, I am sorry for you and your family as well as Spencer's beautiful family. It's a rough one.
    Hope you were able to celebrate Hanks birthday today though, and be joyous about that!
    Susan M

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  12. I was so sorry to hear of Spencer's death -- sorry for his dear wife, for their children and grandchildren and all those many friends he had the world over. I am grateful that you told them about me and that I had that luminous experience not so long ago, visiting him and Marilyn, hearing his music and right in my neighborhood. So, so special. I am sending so much love your way, Mary.

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  13. Mary, I am so very sorry to hear of your friend Spencer's death. What a talented soul he was. Didn't he make some really unique shadow box art with all kinds of weird, interesting objects? I remember being fascinated by them. His voice/playing is equally captivating. His rendition of "Hallelujah" was...oh my...SO beautiful. I am sad his days on earth are through but I hope the wonderful memories of days gone by that yall shared will comfort and sustain you. My deepest sympathy to all of you that loved him.
    Angie D

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  14. I'm so sorry to hear about Spencer. I do remember you writing about him. If that picture is any indication, he was much loved and had a good life.

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