Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends

Subject: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 11:29 AM

I had considered posting this under the update thread but the gathering was so special I decided to give it one of its own.

When I visited with Jean and Jon last fall in Berea, Kentucky, it was clear that Jean was wondering about her friends back east and if she would see them again. I made my mind up that I would do what I could to try and make that happen. In discussions with Dan Schatz a few months ago, we decided that now was the time. So I set out to invite folks that were true friends of Jean's to come to a small gathering in Berea, have a potluck, and sit and sing songs and share memories. The criteria was that they had to be friends. Given Jean's health, this was not to be a place to meet "Jean Ritchie" but rather a gathering of folks who knew Jean and that she probably thought she would not see again. I know I missed folks, but we did the best we could.

That gathering was wonderful. Billy Ed Wheeler came from N. Carolina, Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Charlie Baum, Lisa Null, Dan Schatz, Jerry Epstein, Lorraine Lee Hammond and Sally Rogers came from the east coast. Folks like Nancy Barker, Anne McFie, Debbie Grizzell, Richard and Lila Bellando, and Loyal Jones came from around Kentucky. We met at the Friends meeting house, broke bread and sang songs for hours. Jean gets tired easily these days, so we figured if we had her an hour, maybe two, we would be lucky. She stayed nearly five hours, sang along as we moved around the circle, and at one point led us in a song. When asked by Jon if she was OK, her response was "this is wonderful".

Special thanks are due to the wonderful Ritchie and Pickow family. Jon and Peter were so helpful in coming up with the list of invitees, as was Jean's niece Judy. Judy and Frank Hudson are purely the best. I could not have accomplished organizing this without their wonderful assistance. They love Aunt Jean with all their hearts. I watched Judy's face when she was sitting beside Jean in the circle, and the love just filled the room. These are very special people. And I am here to tell you, Judy can sing very well.

I hope this glow continues for a good while......

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 11:35 AM

What a wonderful thing to do!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 11:42 AM

Well done Mick and all. Jean's a grand lady!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 11:52 AM

What an excellent idea!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: DebC
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 11:57 AM

Wow, Mick. No other words except that this just confirms what I know about you: good heart, good soul and always willing to do for others.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 01:47 PM

It was a truly warm and wonderful evening.

Dan

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: georgeward
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 02:54 PM

Now and again someone shows us all over again that this community is as real and as valuable as we'd like to imagine…and how to do it.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 03:45 PM

Well done Mick.

Dave H in the UK

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Elmore
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 04:14 PM

This old agnostic says God bless you Mick.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: gnu
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 04:20 PM

"Now and again someone shows us all over again that this community is as real and as valuable as we'd like to imagine…and how to do it."

Sniff.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Amos
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 04:27 PM

BRavo, bravo, bravo, Biggus Mickus. You are truly a vessel full of Right Stuff.


A

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 04:42 PM

That sounds like a marvelous occasion!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 09:50 PM

yes, magic!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 10:20 PM

That must've meant the world to Jean. What a wonderful thing to do. So good to hear how she is doing,too. Thanks, Mick.

kat

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: ranger1
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 10:25 PM

Shared music with good friends, there is nothing better.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 12:11 AM

Among other kindnesses, Jean's niece Judy spent an entire day scouting out an air-conditioned location for the gathering. We'd originally had a picnic in mind, but it was 105 in Berea that day, and none of us needed to be out in that kind of heat.

And Mick's right - you can tell Judy is a Ritchie. She can SING! A highlight for me was when members of the Ritchie family led us all in "Twilight's A-Stealing" - the song with which they close every family reunion. WOW.

Dan

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 12:26 AM

Oh, I wish I could have been there. Best wishes to you, Jean.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Haruo
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 12:32 AM

Amen

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 02:17 PM

Mick:

When you get to the pearly gates, be sure to mention this to St. Peter and you'll be ushered right in. We sent him a link to this thread but he may have forgotten by the time you get there!

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 08:15 PM

Just beautiful!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Crowhugger
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 08:27 PM

An utterly beautiful thing to do, Mick.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 09:44 PM

Thanks for providing this lovely update.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: KT
Date: 04 Jul 12 - 12:07 AM

"I hope this glow continues for a good while......"

I'm sure it will, Mick, in the hearts and minds of all who were there, and those of us who can imagine. Lovely.
KT

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Jul 12 - 01:34 AM

Good to hear it Mick. Lovely day it seems in a lovely place with good people all round. Loyal Jones came? Lol......Well nothings perfect.


Spaw

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie: a gathering of friends
From: EBarnacle
Date: 04 Jul 12 - 09:19 AM

Would that I could joined the singing crowd to support out friend.