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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Chris Michalek's Memorial Service
Chris Michalek's Memorial Service
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isaacullah
1312 posts
Dec 22, 2010
12:57 PM
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I attended Chris's memorial service this morning. It was one of those rare cloudy and grey mornings here in Arizona. Chris's music was playing over the PA as guests arrived. I greeted his wife, and passed on my condolences. The memorial was well attended, and was touching. There was a brief service, and the focus was on finding a special memory of something you did with Chris or something he would do, and to hold that with you. Also, to focus on Chris's great interest in the concept of love and the abundance of love that Chris had and gave in his life. And then we watched a slide show of Chris's life -- watching him grow from a boy into a man in the space of three songs. The scenes from his wedding were especially touching, and there were several images of Chris being the amazing musician and teacher that he was. Then family and friends had a chance to say something about Chris. I couldn't bring myself to stand up and say anything, but another of his local harmonica students did. This student, a man named Roberto, spoke for all of us in the harmonica community, and he said the words that were in my mind.
Chris could take this small, insignificant instrument, that is basically a toy in most peoples hands, and make it do anything that he wanted. He could make it sound like any other instrument: a trumpet, a guitar, a bass, a piano, an organ, a saxophone, even a full blown orchestra if he wanted. He could play any style of music with any musician of any level, and he would always make it sound good. He was a great teacher, and his unorthodox teaching style was uniquely effective for me and for his other students. But harmonica was only part of his life, and the other parts of his life were also represented during the memorial. His love of football, dog training, and his family. It was a touching and emotional service, and I'm glad I could attend. For those of you who wanted to be there but could not, I thought about you, and did my best to project your thoughts and feelings for you in your absence.
As I drove away from the funeral parlor, it started to rain. Rain is special here in Arizona, so I think it was very appropriate to the situation. Chris had a full life, and will be missed by many people.
Peace and Love,
~Isaac
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toddlgreene
2310 posts
Dec 22, 2010
1:01 PM
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Thanks for posting Isaac, and I wish I could have attended. Sounds like it was a fitting and beautiful memorial.
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
Last Edited by on Dec 22, 2010 1:04 PM
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Grillslinger
92 posts
Dec 22, 2010
1:09 PM
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Thanks, Isaac.
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scojo
172 posts
Dec 22, 2010
1:17 PM
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Beautiful, Isaac. Thank you very much.
SAJ
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tookatooka
1963 posts
Dec 22, 2010
1:54 PM
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Thanks Isaac. I'm so pleased you were able to represent those of us who could not attend. My thoughts were with the Memorial Service all day.
I found the venue on Google Earth and was able to 'feel' the surroundings by being able to walk around the area on streetview.
It was as close as I could get without actually being there.
Last Edited by on Dec 22, 2010 1:54 PM
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harpdude61
564 posts
Dec 22, 2010
2:22 PM
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Much appreciated Isaac.
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Zhin
610 posts
Dec 23, 2010
4:45 AM
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Thank you Isaac.
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http://www.youtube.com/harmonicazhin
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Diggsblues
654 posts
Dec 23, 2010
5:11 AM
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Thanks Isaac
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Tuckster
795 posts
Dec 23, 2010
2:49 PM
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Thanks,Isaac. Well said.
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oldwailer
1446 posts
Dec 23, 2010
3:13 PM
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Thanks, Isaac--beautifully written and heartfelt. . .
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