Ten years ago, Jerry Garcia passed away, quietly in his sleep.  People who aren't fans of the Grateful Dead, obviously don't get why we as deadheads, mourned so deeply. As my dear friend and "cosmic bruddah", Padraic once said...if he totalled up all the hours he spent at Dead shows over the years, it would add up to having spent more time in one room with the Dead, than he had spent with most family members. 

At one time, being at a Dead show, was like going home to visit for the weekend. You would run into friends (family) you hadn't seen since the year before. Share good food, laughs, and hugs...basically catch up and have fun (twirl our butts off!)

And then there was the music. I had listened to the Dead since I was a child (thanks Dad!) and I never "outgrew" it.  As Jerry once said, "Our audience is like people who like licorice. Not everyone likes licorice, but the people who like licorice really like licorice."

I remember my final spring tour like it was last week, not 10 years ago. Hearing the intro to "Unbroken Chain" (which was to be the first time it was ever played live) then turning to look at Padraic, who had the most incredible look of glee on his face, ...right before he started jumping up and down like a 5 year old (hee!)

And the Dead ended up influencing our choice to name our first born, Cassidy. A beautiful song, that seemed quite fitting...

I have seen where the wolf has slept by the silver stream.
I can tell by the mark he left you were in his dream.
Ah child of countless trees, ah child of boundless seas.

What are you, what are you meant to be?
Speaks his name for you were born to me,
Born to me, cassidy.

Lost now on the country miles in his cadillac.
I can tell by the way you smile he is rolling back.
Come wash the nighttime clean, come grow the scorched ground green.

Blow the horn, tap the tambourine.
Close the gap on the dark years in between.
You and me, cassidy.

Quick beats in an icy heart, catch colt draws a coffin cart,
There he goes and now here she starts, hear her cry.

Flight of the seabirds,
Scattered like lost words,
Wheel to the storm and fly.
Fare thee well now, let your life proceed by it’s own design.
Nothing to tell now, let the words be your’s, I’m done with mine.
Fare thee well now, let your life proceed by it’s own design.
Nothing to tell now, let the words be your’s, I’m done with mine.

Today, I'm not only remembering Jerry...but all my old buds too. You know who you are