Remembering ...

Yesterday I went to the funeral to celebrate the life of my friend's father. He was a great man and someone I did not know long enough.

In 2001, a place was needed to celebrate my impending nuptials so he and his wife gave up the house for the weekend. Many times I would go over and whenever he talked to me and inquired about how me and my loved ones were doing, it felt like an honour to be talking to him.

But my favourite story comes in 2004 when I was recently separated. They had heard about it and I was invited over to celebrate Thanksgiving with their family. During the dinner conversation I was telling my friend's father I was getting back into playing again so he asked me what I thought of Traynor amplifiers. I LOVE Traynor amplifiers. I explained to him that my uncle played bass way back in the day and he had one back then, and I love playing that one. Also, I don't remember playing a Traynor amp and being disappointed. I continued on saying that my father has a couple for his guitar work. Then he tells me, "Good, I'll let him know. Did you know that I'm friends with Pete Traynor." I'm sitting there thinking, "I'm sure glad I don't think they suck!"

I had last bumped into him at a friends wedding. I arrived late because I was coming from a job and saw him and his wife outside. After 10-20 minutes of some heavy catching up, it looked like I arrived even later when I finally got inside, but I'm glad I took the time.