Boutch’s Harmonica At the Armadillo Ball we’re sitting at a table off to the side when Boutch looms up behind me. Usually his eyes are glimmering with a joke or quip about to launch, but now they’re serious, a little mournful. He’s got something in his hand. “I want you to take this,” he says.
Yeah, this made me cry. Boutch and I worked together at the same company for a bit and he was one of my favorites. So interesting, so interested in learning, so good with people. I was sorry when he left, but he did so for good reasons and we stayed friends. I felt as though we knew both Jen and Riley because he always spoke of them, and I guess I assumed we would cross paths eventually, somewhere. And then he was gone. I’m thankful I knew him. Now, as I can hear Scott in his study blowing away on Boutch’s harmonica, I realize Dan will never leave us completely.
As always, thank you for sharing so many wonderful stories, nuances, and emotions. I really connect with so many of your posts.
It was the MAC 2015 conference I co-chaired. Boutch was in the room next to me. Heartbreaking. No sleep. I had many terrible conversations that night and the next day. And then I had to call Ellie.
He was a wonderful man, whom I didn’t know as well as I wish I had. My heart still goes out to his wife and daughter. 💕
Reading this is a nice tribute to those who have touched our hearts and have passed. It is very touching since this year is the first Mother’s Day for my baby sister and the first Mother’s Day for a new family member that my mom is not here for. But she most definitely has her dancing shoes on with Pat listen to Boutch play and looking proud as her granddaughter (Emily Catherine - yes Catherine in honor of mom) is now with us. Love to all the Thickett Society
This captures Dan perfectly. He didn’t care what instrument someone played or how well they played, just that they loved making music. He had 2 rules for Riley, that I tell her about all the time: she has to go college and she has to play an instrument. She has chosen to play the saxophone although I keep hoping she will start strumming on one of Dan’s guitars. Thank you much for writing this
He was such a good friend to me. Always, but particularly one night in Hawaii when I really needed one. His capacity for compassion was endless and seemingly effortless. I miss him all the time. Thanks for posting this.
Beautiful touching tribute to an incredibly wonderful person. I still have the drumsticks he gave me - maybe from the Hawaii meeting?
Yeah, this made me cry. Boutch and I worked together at the same company for a bit and he was one of my favorites. So interesting, so interested in learning, so good with people. I was sorry when he left, but he did so for good reasons and we stayed friends. I felt as though we knew both Jen and Riley because he always spoke of them, and I guess I assumed we would cross paths eventually, somewhere. And then he was gone. I’m thankful I knew him. Now, as I can hear Scott in his study blowing away on Boutch’s harmonica, I realize Dan will never leave us completely.
Thank you, from Dan’s Mom! A nice tribute for Mother’s Day.
As always, thank you for sharing so many wonderful stories, nuances, and emotions. I really connect with so many of your posts.
It was the MAC 2015 conference I co-chaired. Boutch was in the room next to me. Heartbreaking. No sleep. I had many terrible conversations that night and the next day. And then I had to call Ellie.
He was a wonderful man, whom I didn’t know as well as I wish I had. My heart still goes out to his wife and daughter. 💕
Reading this is a nice tribute to those who have touched our hearts and have passed. It is very touching since this year is the first Mother’s Day for my baby sister and the first Mother’s Day for a new family member that my mom is not here for. But she most definitely has her dancing shoes on with Pat listen to Boutch play and looking proud as her granddaughter (Emily Catherine - yes Catherine in honor of mom) is now with us. Love to all the Thickett Society
This captures Dan perfectly. He didn’t care what instrument someone played or how well they played, just that they loved making music. He had 2 rules for Riley, that I tell her about all the time: she has to go college and she has to play an instrument. She has chosen to play the saxophone although I keep hoping she will start strumming on one of Dan’s guitars. Thank you much for writing this
He was such a good friend to me. Always, but particularly one night in Hawaii when I really needed one. His capacity for compassion was endless and seemingly effortless. I miss him all the time. Thanks for posting this.