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Jessie said in an early morning text and it reminded me of the song, ‘Tell me ‘bout the good ole days’. I remember the story like it was yesterday, but told her I would have to look for the photo in albums of years past. When I finally found it, I was surprised to see that it was from July of 2007.
I laughed when I read the title of the many photo albums that I had loaded onto my Kodak Gallery (now defunct and transferred to Shutterfly); Our Spontaneous Vacation (part 1-8). Just to make sure that everyone knew where they had to be I created a spreadsheet with timeslots allotted for spontaneous activities. (Please note that after some feedback from the family, this practice has been discontinued.)
We were on our way up to Wisconsin and made stops in Nashville, Indianapolis, Hammond and Chicago. And it was on our stop in Chicago that we ventured out into the city to check out the blues scene. And the cab took myDarlin' Robert Kenui Pope and me to Buddy Guys Legends on Wabash Avenue. With hopes of being fortunate enough to meet the man himself, we made our way through the crowded club on a Monday Blues Open Jam night. No open seats were to be found, but I watched diligently until I saw two seats open at a table for four and approached the couple to ask if we could join them. (It never hurts to ask!) We watched the house band, which was simply amazing, until the open jam began.
We moved closer and closer to the stage as tables opened up. (Yes, I know that we kept the servers wondering where in the heck we went). I knew that myDarlin’ really wanted to play, but he didn’t have his bass with him and felt awkward asking. After some encouragement, he signed up to play and asked the bass player who just finished playing if he could play his bass. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, he said no. Hmmm…. you’re not in Kansas anymore Toto, or should I say, you’re not in the ATL anymore myDarlin’? The house band bass player must have overheard, and offered to let Robert play his Modulus Quantum, which is as I understand is quite the instrument. Needless to say, he was in hog heaven to not only be playing on stage at Buddy Guys Legends, but to also be playing a Modulus Quantum, as is evidenced by the grin on his face.
Excitedly, I got my camera out and began to take photos (click here to view) of myDarlin’ and the band. (insert your own look of surprise here) Three songs were over much too quickly, and then the blonde bombshell came onto the stage, telling myDarlin’ to stay right where he was as she liked his playing. Another three songs and it was time to turn it back over to the house band. And as I watched Robert take the strap off and hand the wonderful bass back, I witnessed an exchange of gratitude and brotherhood between two virtual strangers. Moments like these are truly bookmarks in our lives, for even if the house band bass player doesn’t remember this moment, he made a permanent mark on myDarlin’s life.
We lingered for a while longer to listen to the band and buy a t-shirt (which will be a part of my memory quilt) for myDarlin’. And as we climbed into the cab, he squeezed my hand and reached over to give me a kiss. “Thank you Baby. I love you”, he said. “I love you Darlin’” I replied. He smiled and said, “We have a good life.”
I am filled with gratitude to be able to share this special night with your Dad with you Jessie, our Ohana and those who may simply have stumbled upon this. And while we didn’t get to meet Buddy Guy that evening, I look at myDarlin’s photo and realize that it is he who is truly a legend. And as we go through our life, it is today that becomes tomorrow’s memory.
#KeepLookingUp #Legend #WeHaveaGoodLife
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