R.I.P. Robin Rogers

I just got the news that my friend and blues musician, Robin Rogers, has passed away. I met Robin in Clarksdale, Mississippi at Ground Zero Blues Club when Morris played there one night. Our late friend, Dennis Brooks, introduced us to Robin. I am so glad that he did. I was instantly drawn to her.

Dennis said that we needed to hear this new blues singer. Morris was more than happy to share the stage with her. Wow! What a voice she had! Her soul just burst forth in her music. But more importantly than her voice or musical abilities, Robin was a wonderful person.

During the time that I was privileged to spend with Robin, we made fast friends. We had a lot in common -- including our disease (Hepatitis C). We shared our stories, along with fears and apprehension about the future of our health. Robin was upbeat and positive that everything would be ok.

The last time I saw Robin, we were at Gary Vincent's studio (again in Clarksdale). We ate gumbo and sang and laughed. What a wonderful memory! Oh, the laughs!

Robin, I will miss you. You aren't sick any more. You are not suffering any more. I am happy for you, but sad for my own loss.

Hope I Die Before I Get Old

Mom was moved to a nursing home this week. This came as a result of her cracking her pelvic bone in two places last week. I know this is NOT what she wanted. She was a patient of this nursing home a few years ago and she told me that she would rather die than have to go back to this place. They say she is only going there for physical therapy and will get to go back home when she is able to walk again. But she told me that she wouldn't be going back home. I hope that was the enormous amount of pain medication she was taking at the time talking to me and not Mom.

I vowed that she would never have to be in a nursing home, but she doesn't want to move here. Maybe she'll change her mind. I hope so. We'll be traveleing to visit her in a few weeks. I hope she will be much better by then.

Not being able to see her and know how she's doing is so difficult. She has always been there when I needed her. Now that she needs me, I'm not able to be there and that hurts.