Hi to all [Richard Mullany's Long-Hoped-For Return!]

[Richard Mullany]

For what seems like the tenth time I announce my return to this forum. As in the previous suspensions the cause is medical and I am not going into them but for the first time I have a handle on things and with a new cast of providors pursuing new paths I am happy to say I feel better and get around better than any time in recent memory. I even had a MRI of my right ear and all is normal except the ear drum itself is less elastic so can't vibrate fast enough to transmit sound well. Knowing what is wrong makes it easier to get over it.
I tried to read as many posts as I could and was particularly taken with chalkpersons account of his sons injuries.
One sees on TV or reads of these terrible injuries but knowing such a person, even at this remove, is heartbreaking. To put a face on statistics makes them stare you in the face; when old men become mad young men bleed and die.
There is much that I wish I, or anyone could do other than offer our thoughts, our hopes and our love and so we do that but with a sense of little made lighter to bear. What to do ecept do our best just as Kevin does. We draw inspiration from such brave men and hope too.
I know not what other news was made during my hiatus. I missed the election coverage here; it must have been lively. I have not acquired any new music and in general listen less often to music. I had a major bout of depression which is receding thankfully. I'm now 82 and feeling it. I spent much time contemplating "things".
I notice more "ROAD CLOSED" signs on the highway of life. In general I am negotiating my way and am cultivating an acceptance of the Grand Finale. This might be the subject of a thread, death and how to deal with while you enjoy life. Part of my strategy is to accept it as guest rather than conquering fiend.
I hope you are all well, I thought of you all more than you might think as this forum has become a sort of family.
The flag goes up today, maybe I'll play some marches. I have a set of the complete marches of Sousa beautifully played in the Sousa style by the Detroit Concert Band. Happy Fourth and good listening!!

[living_stradivarius]

Thanks for such a heartfelt post, Richard. I am glad you could join us on this special day!

[Chalkperson]

I tried to read as many posts as I could and was particularly taken with chalkpersons account of his sons injuries.
One sees on TV or reads of these terrible injuries but knowing such a person, even at this remove, is heartbreaking. To put a face on statistics makes them stare you in the face; when old men become mad young men bleed and die.
There is much that I wish I, or anyone could do other than offer our thoughts, our hopes and our love and so we do that but with a sense of little made lighter to bear. What to do except do our best just as Kevin does. We draw inspiration from such brave men and hope too.

Welcome back, Richard, Kevin is not actually my son although I do consider him to be family...He is from Pittsburgh and I was put in touch with him by my friend Colonel Bob, Corlyss and Lance gave me the Sticky Thread so that I could post items from his mothers Blog, he is a remarkable individual, they thought he would be a vegetable, at best, but he can walk, talk, and cook via a Microwave...I have been following him for just over a year and his mom and I have become quite close, i'm hoping to visit Kevin in August...im glad you read his story and will post this Quote from his mom...

What is Mended Wings

This blog is dedicated to my son, Kevin, who was critically wounded in Afghanistan on May 31, 2008. My daughter, Brianna, and I left our homes and our lives to be by his side from that day forward.

Here is where you will learn of all of our accomplishments as well as the trials of his recovery of such serious injuries.

Although we have come through the acute stage of his burns, we are now focusing on the rehab for his brain injury. For those of you unaware, Kevin has lost nearly 85% of the left side of his brain, causing him to not be able to do much (yet) with his right side and he can only say a few words so far. He also has to learn to write and he needs to remember everything in his past life.

Basically, we have 'started over'.

[Corlyss_D]

Richard! Thank God you're still alive! I tried many times to get you back in. Thank God you made it back. I'm so happy you're in better health too.

I'm going to move this thread to the music room because you have many friends there who do not frequent the Pub.

[Seán]

Hello Richard, It is lovely to have you back posting with us. I hope that your health is improving and that you will be able to spend time listening to music once again. Take care and a very Happy 4th July to you.

[Fergus]

Richard, your post was an inspirational read!

[karlhenning]

Welcome back, Richard!

Cheers,
~Karl

[Lance]

A cordial welcome-back, Richard. I just got your e-mail about having problems signing on to CMG. I am away on vacation, returning home mid-week next week. In the meantime, I am pleased your found your way back and a adding some new dimensions to your life, health-wise. We are all rooting for you!

God bless!

—Lance

[IcedNote]

Welcome back! Stick around so some of the newer members (including myself) can get to know you better.

Glad to hear your health is improving!

-G

[RebLem]

I thought every now and then during your absence about how much I missed you wonderfully gentle, humane, and knowledgeable posts, and whether we would ever hear from you again. I am vey pleased that the answer is Yes. I am looking forward to your increased participation here. Thank you for bringing us up to date.

[Agnes Selby]

Hello, Richard. I so look forward to your posts. I am
glad you are back with this forum's "family".

Kind regards,
Agnes.

[Richard Mullany]

Thanks to all for all your kind words. Through all the absence from this forum I wondered how the ship was sailing; who had debarked, who had boarded. Looking back to when I joined, well before the 9-11 days, when the forum was on the Amazon site, I still recall some names but most alas are vanished.
To those who know me,yes I am still capable of being a crashing bore. To those who know me not you need know only this, I, like you, have known music, wish to know more, and like all of us, enjoy the gift of sharing what pleasures music brings.

[Chalkperson]

To those who know me, yes I am still capable of being a crashing bore.

Not a chance, Richard, you are an inspiration to us all, a beacon in the night...best...chalkie

[DavidRoss]

I'm now 82 and feeling it. I spent much time contemplating "things".
I notice more "ROAD CLOSED" signs on the highway of life. In general I am negotiating my way and am cultivating an acceptance of the Grand Finale. This might be the subject of a thread, death and how to deal with while you enjoy life. Part of my strategy is to accept it as guest rather than conquering fiend.

Welcome back, Richard. Both metaphors are intriguing; I doubt I'm the only one who would also welcome your thoughts on death, the closed roads, the roads still open, and whichever other "things" you've been contemplating.

[Richard Mullany]

Only rarely in Western history has one been given such an opening David; rarer still to be given a captive audience, so to speak
I have never gone into the subject in such a situation as this, it is too crowded, too many voices, too much contagious fears.
Even given the perfect scene, a quiet place, shortly afte hearing the slow movement from the Schubert Quintet, a candle or two, a glass of something soft and amber.
I had a twin brother, Jack. He passed away in 1998 and we apent many hours on the telephone, him in Sarasota, me here in the mountains. Jack was not what most people consider well read.
classical music interested him not, the social whirl was his mileu which made him very different from me. Yet we were close as oonly twins can be.
About a year before, he had received a diagnosis of Lupus. He was quite ill and the disease was checked for periods of time but it is an implacable foe; he lacked much resistance. I broached the subject to him a few times but it led nowhere and I didn't want to push it on him, yet I wanted to begin the process so something would be in place. This was an enlightened self interest on my part. That he was not a pondering person as I was must not reason to just let him slip away, so I began being more forceful in the most gentle way. Near the end he had come a long way in his acceptance of his mortality and was able to let go of a lot of fear and anxiety. I wished for him to accept death as friend and deliverer, as guest, not welcomed certainly but still, a guest due respect and welcome to his "home". One night on January it was near time and I prepared to go to Sarasota.
Much to my dismay came a call that he had passed shortly after our last words; anxiety had come and he was afraid I wouldn't make it. I reassured him I would.
I wouldn't have made it out of my driveway; we had had a couple of feet of snow during the night. I was sick and never so frustrated in my life.
MY only comfort was knowing that in the time we had we had retraveled old familiar roads, memories of childhood, laughter and strutting our "hour upon the stage". He had become ,we had become, fully human in that time.
At his memorial service I asked the pastor if I mght del.iver his eulogy. He said yes but though many people askked for this not one had ever done it, emotions being too strong. At the proper time I went up to the lectern. I had written a few notes but I never used them but launched myself into such an avalanche of thought, as clearly expressed as I could have wished for. and felt closer to my brother than at any time in my life. I was in tears as I sat down and spent of my last dime. Most of the audience waited at the door and I was surrounded by people I never knew, who had tears in their eyes too. I felt comforted that I had done him some honor finally. I set my words on paper after I got back home. I reread them on our birthday and they still make me feel glad that I had said something that was more than cliche and rote.
Now, years later I find myself encountering him im my dreams, or thinking I will call him and tell him of something funny. Sometimes I feel almost as if he were beside me. He never speaks but all is well with him and with me.
I first began to think of death as guest rather than conquering evil during those late night talks on the phone. Now I have accepted it for myself as some sort of proof against the only evil that should be feared and that is fear itself to parrot a line from FDR.
Thank you David for prying this out of me. I'm being facetious of course, no prying is neccessary. though I would never think of hanging a thread on Death here, unbidden at least. Still it is a fact of life and I'm interested to hear what others think abut it.

[Fergus]

Even though it is one of the absolute certaintities in life I would think that few people would want to think about death. It is too morbid a subject for most people, I would feel, and most of us would, under normal circumstances consider ourselves to be immortal....not even considering the possibility that we could be taken in a fleeting instant. Those that reach their golden years would, no doubt, give it some thought....and those of us who have suffered serious, life threatening ilness have it forced upon them. I have been in the latter situation and thankfully have come through it....but it was an interesting time when one was faced with one's own mortality particularly when one is not a religious person. It certainly focuses the mind.

[Werner]

David, Richard, Fergus, thank you for your thoughts on one of life's inevitable themes. It's a subject we're all forced to contemplate as the clock keeps ticking.

We've known from the succession of generations that we are all here temporarily. While we're here, we do our best to make life as meaningful as we can.

I've had the opportunity to put some of my experiences into memoir form. The end states a truth with which I'd like to mark my exit: "Life goes on.........."

[Fergus]

....The end states a truth with which I'd like to mark my exit: "Life goes on.........."

Surely the by-word of every species on the planet

[nut-job]

Hi Richard,

You're response to life's ultimate question, which is both philosophical and personal, is an inspiration. I wish you the best in following the many roads in life that remain open to you. I assume you will continue to take the road less traveled by when the option presents itself.