Artists Remembered

[Richard S]

While between cases this past week, I used the time to reorganize my gun safes. In doing so, I came across several holsters for various pistols by two artists in gunleather, R. J. Hedley of Winterhaven, Florida, and Lou Alessi of Cheektowaga, NY. I also found my two NAA Guardians with sterling silver grips cast by an artist in gold and silver, Malcom "Mac" McDonell of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Each one of those great artists in their areas of work have since crossed over into the next dimension. It all served as a poignant reminder of our own mortality. It also brought to mind this poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson:

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,
    And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
    When I put out to sea.

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
    Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
    Turns again home!

Twilight and evening bell,
    And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
    When I embark;

For though from out our bourn of Time and Place
    The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
    When I have crost the bar.

Life is short. Use the time well, and enjoy the journey.

[backupr9]

Or, less poetically, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may!"  Good advice for all.  Thanks Richard.

[Richard S]

I should have mentioned that Mac was a veteran of World War II, R. J. was a veteran of the Korean War, and Lou was a veteran of the Viet Nam War. Their legacies are carried on by their family members -- in particular Mac's wife, Susan; R. J.'s daughter, Lisa; and Lou's daughter, Alexandra.

[tracker]

Very poignant, Richard. Quite coincidentally, the holsters of R.J. and Lou have both been in my hands this week and they and their daughters have been in my thoughts. We all have to take that final flight to the west.