November 2019
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| VOL 14 ISSUE 11 | November 2019 |
According to the news reports, a young pregnant woman lost control of her vehicle due to a tire in the road and she flew over the median into oncoming traffic. As fate would have it, a very close friend of mine was on her way to work in the morning at that exact moment and ended up dying at the scene of this head on collision. It was later reported that the pregnant woman survived and that her little baby girl was delivered later that same day.
It was shocking getting this news and finding out that we would never get the opportunity to hang out with Karen again. She was the kindest person I have ever met and I keep finding things that she had bought me over the years. On the evening that she died, I kept thinking that she would still be alive if she had driven down this road just 10 seconds earlier or 10 seconds later. I picked up my guitar and started writing a song about the days events and how I was feeling. Here are the lyrics that I crafted:
Ten seconds either way, wake up early or sleep in late
Then there’s no tragedy and you could still be here with me
You filled my life time after time
So blessed to have you as a friend of mine
Then came the call and I cried please, please, please, no, no, no
I just can’t believeGone without goodbye - No time to tell you how I feel inside
Gone without goodbye - So I lift my voice as I pray to the sky
You meant the world to me
I keep rewinding the memories
I look to the sky, but I know deep inside of my heart is where you lie
You’re never really gone without goodbyeTen seconds either way and you would still be here today
Fate has a funny way, gives us life, then takes it away
Just another day, or so it seemed
Two worlds collide, tell me it's just a dream
I got the call and I cried please, please, please, no, no, no,
Fell to my kneesGone without goodbye -No time to tell you how I feel inside
Gone without goodbye - So I lift my voice as I pray to the sky
You meant the world to me
I keep rewinding the memories
I look to the sky, but I know deep inside of my heart is where you lie
You’re never really gone without goodbye(Link to Youtube video is https://youtu.be/58iWG0URv7Q )
I spent some time over the Thanksgiving break recording a symphonic version of the song using only my synthesizer (no real guitars, pianos, violins, drums, etc.). Karen's mother had asked if I would play the song at the funeral, but I committed instead to have the song recorded and on a flash drive, not knowing if I would be able to sing it there or not. When the time came, they didn't have a way of plugging the flash drive into the PA system. I was pretty emotional and I could barely tell the story of the song, let alone be able to sing it, but I was honored to have the opportunity to play the music of the song on the piano at her funeral.
The ceremony was very special and included a military escort from the church to the The National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona where her ashes will be laid to rest. She served in the US Air Force for ten years and was honored with the folding of a USA flag that was handed to Karen's son, Jordan, who is now following in her footsteps and serving in the US Air Force stationed in South Korea. With the playing of Taps, the ceremony was over, but I hope this song will help to keep her memory alive. We are really going to miss her.
Lindsey Stirling brought her Warmer In Winter Tour to Comerica Theater in downtown Phoenix this November and Burning Hot Events was on hand to do a review. I was thrilled with the opportunity to be the photographer for the evening and see how a violin is supposed to be played. I've been doing quite a bit of practicing, but the vibrato thing is still very challenging to me for some reason. Check out our pics and the story by clicking here or on the picture above. See more of my concert photography at http://www.futureclassx.com/photo/commercial.htm .
Catherine Anaya hosts a series of web based episodes that feature in-depth interviews with top architects, designers, and other professionals in the residential design and real estate market. Creative Designs in Lighting was approached to do a segment to discuss current trends in the design of lighting for high end residential projects. Owner Walter Spitz gave an overview of the company and then Anaya interviewed me about some of the over arching principles of quality lighting design. Click here or on the image to see the interview on Youtube.
E-ya later,
Mark Greenawalt
Mark@MarkGreenawalt.com
Upcoming events:
December 31, 2019 - The band is an extended version of Nine Ball and the venue is Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino for New Years Eve
copyright Mark Greenawalt, Future-Class X Publishing - Phoenix, AZ 85044
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