Afterglow 2016 - Day 6 Thursday

 

 

Dale and Carol made it out tonight to support their son (and my band mate) Kevin, and they made sure to toss a little support my way too. What a lovely couple. I've known them over half my life and I truly am thankful that they continue to show up.

There used to be a time when all of us would gather in the Lodge for the Awards & Video presentation on Thursday night. I go every year, but the roster of people that accompanies me changes every year. This time Jenny Reck, Stacy and Pinkman settled in to hear Gail announce the winners of the various Afterglow events and view Pete's pictures and videos. Pinkman even got to stand amongst his peers and accept the Horseshoe Championship. Curtis sadly couldn't make it as he was driving back home. But Pinkman did accept for two.

 

With daylight at a premium cost, we decided to put all of our chips on black and make one final bet before the day came to an end. And we hit it. Big time. Who would have thought it was possible? Lady Luck was by our side as we swam out to the raft and raged before we would have to sit still and quiet while the awards were presented and the video from the week was played.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The remaining cousins (those who did come to the Awards & Video Night and who didn't go home) gathered at the beach at twilight for another picture. We can't get enough of these and neither can our Mothers. And why not? It's the perfect time and the perfect place for us to embrace the love and friendship that we have for each other. That is what Afterglow does. It's a haven for beauty and happiness.

 

 

After the Awards & Video presentation, we gathered as a family to take a picture for the Archives to prove that we were all there. Right now it was just Mom, Me and Jenny, so you know that things got weird. When there is only 1 normal one (Mom), there is no way that she can balance out the weirdos (me and Jenny). But her secret is that she is just as weird as we are. Who do you think that we got it from?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday night (after Pot Luck dinner) and Thursday night (after Awards & Video) should be our chance to play in front of the biggest crowds Afterglow has ever seen. But the crowds don't show up anymore. That's OK. We're used to playing to nobody.

I once heard that in the Ojibwe/Chippewa Native American language, Afterglow means "family". I'm not sure if that is entirely true, but I'm going to go with it. For all I know, it might have been my Spirit Animal Reggie the Chipmunk who said it that one time he visited me when I was having night sweats. But whatever truth you choose to accept, we were all here together and having the time of our lives. And that is because when we get together, nothing else matters. That is what makes Afterglow such a special place and a memorable time.

 

        

Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dale was the keeper of the fire tonight and made sure that warming essence was raging for the lucky few who were gathered in her presence. Here we are all family. We are one tribe. The people of Afterglow have spoken and in a rousing voice they said, "FIRE!!"