I first heard of Sandy & Caroline here on the mudcat. So many people here thought so highly of them, and Sandy's posts were so warm and informative, that I jumped at the chance to go hear them when they appeared at a restaurant in my hometown of Branford, CT.   It was a wonderful evening.

Saw the Patons several times at their booth and in workshops at NOMAD and NEFFA, until the end when Sandy no longer was able to sing and then no longer even attend. Caroline carried on beautifully with her glorious singing, but I always missed Sandy's presence.

Here are some photos on flickr with Sandy and Caroline, some of which I took: Patons on Flickr.com

I always thought that I'd see him again.

Here are the words to a song I wrote a few years ago that really say what I'm thinking on this sad occasion.

Goodbye, My Good Old Friend
Barbara Shaw, 8/10/2005

It takes a long, long time
To learn how to walk this row
And when you've got it right, you know
It's time to let it go.

(Chorus)
Goodbye, my good old friend
How I hate to see you go
Your visit was a godsend
I just want you to know.

Some folks get wise with age
And the wisest ones don't mind
The road that lies ahead of them
Or the burdens left behind.

And when the day is done the greatest
Thing you leave behind
Is memory of the time we shared
And your picture in my mind.