Sunday, October 11th

Remembering Jonathan on his birthday.

Your friend and bandmate, Michael

Your Birthday

I light the sandalwood incense, and the candles near your photos, put on Eva Cassidy's "Autumn Leaves," and through my wet eyes look at the flickering images of your sweet, beautiful face--allowing myself to grieve openly, for no one is here. The "missing you" is forever painful and so-much-there beneath the surface of all my interactions and activities. No one wants to think I am still so deep in sorrow. No, they see that I am engaged again with the world and have moved out of deep depression and darkness.
You, in your kindness and practicality, would want me to be "okay," I know, Jonathan.
But still I think of you when I click on the email--hoping for some ghostly reassuring playful message--and when I sit on my front porch observing the changing colors of the dogwood tree as the squirrels scamper around and birds chirp happily at the feast of fall berries, you are there in my mind and heart, as you are when I close my eyes at night--so many images of you, at every stage of life--all of them precious.
I grieve for all the mothers of the world who have lost children--through earth quakes, mudslides, tsunamis, illness, violence, war. If only we could all experience the luxury of grieving together, comforting one another through our tears, coming together in one vast embracing hug.
Bless you, Jonathan. Your October 11th birthday is almost here. I'll bake a pineapple upside down cake in your honor. I give you an ethereal kiss and hug. We send you undying love.

Your Mom and David

Your Radiant Smile

We thought of you so often this beautiful summer, Jonathan, which is drawing to a close now, but your tender smiles and sweet face warm us through all the seasons of the year. Our memories of you are a great comfort and joy always.
We love you with all our hearts.
Mom and David

It's hard to believe it has been a year since Jonathan died. It seems at once so recent, and yet simultaneously distant. I miss him so much, I wish he can know how much he is missed on this earth and how many lives he touched while here. The world needs more of his humor, humility, and grace.
-John Hovanec

giving thanks for Jonathan

I posted this as a comment on Patricia's post but realized that it won't be seen unless I re-post as a new post. Thank you to Patricia for bringing Jonathan to life, Patricia, David and Jonathan's loved ones for bringing him to lightness and love.

My heart is with you, Charlotte but I don't think you want to talk tonight so I'll wait. This is what I posted earlier today:

Despite my efforts to understand, I am still bruised and bewildered; it has been humbling to understand that I will never understand.

I can not think my way out of this and I have grown to accept that. If nothing else, I understand that each moment is a unique gift that I have been given; a gift that comes with no guarantee that future ones will follow and, in that understanding,

I bring Jonathan into each moment. I try to live my life with joy and gratitude in the awareness that it is precious and temporary and I don't want this gift to be wasted on me.
June 3, 2009 5:58 AM

Beloved Jonathan

On June 3rd a year will have passed since you left us. But time is an illusion...it is like a moment ago...and the loss of you will always be happening in the NOW.
They say "Life goes on," but, no, it stopped for a time, and when it resumed it was not the same, and never will be, since you left.
But we are trying to replace our deep sorrow with positive thoughts and find new sources of happiness and "adventure" to anticipate. That's what you would want us to do, for you were kind and warm and caring. You would not want us to go on being sad.
We miss you, Jonathan. We love you. You are in our hearts, always and forever. We conjure up your sweet face with every single thought of you.
Be at peace, darling boy.
Your loving mother, and David, your step-dad.

The Bobwhites' Tribute to Jonathan

The Bobwhites will be playing at the 13th Floor THIS SUNDAY @ 10 p.m. and will be playing a special set of Jonathan's compositions and some of the songs that were favorites of his beginning around 11 p.m. (though it will be hard to say exactly when this set will be played). I hope you will join us for this special tribute- we hope it will be the first of many tributes to the life and music of Jonathan Gorrie! He deserves so much more!

SUNDAY, MAY 24
10 P.M. until closing time
THE 13TH FLOOR at the HOTEL BELVEDERE
www.myspace.com/13thfloorbaltimore
1 E Chase St # 13Baltimore, MD 21202(410) 347-0888

Video Tribute To Jonathan

Tribute to Jonathan Gorrie from Washington Cube on Vimeo.

This is now loaded onto Vimeo which, on my computer, runs best through the Yahoo server. If you cannot see it from your computer, Google "Vimeo" and go to their site and under "search" type "Jonathan Gorrie." It is listed there as "Tribute to Jonathan Gorrie." ~ Elaine

I would like Baltimore City Paper to write an article

I would like the Baltimore City Paper to write an article about the many contributions that Jonathan made to the many "art scenes" in Baltimore and hope to direct them to this blog.

I hope that no one will object to City Paper staff viewing the writings, videos and artwork that has been posted here. I believe that Jonathan's contributions merit more than a short obituary in The Sun.

The Bobwhites plan to play those of Jonathan's compostions that he performed with that band as part of a performance that has been scheduled at the 13th Floor at the Hotel Belvedere in Baltimore. The date for this event is (Memorial Day weekend) Sunday, May 24 @ 10 p.m.- I realize this will be too late in the evening for many of you but they are not normally open on Sundays and won't open until the late evening for the holiday weekend. This was the last place that Jonathan played in public and it will be almost the anniversary of his death. I will post this separately in the blog under a separate "title".

Thanks,

Annette

Haiku for Jonathan, from his Mom

In the Spirit World
this Spring…
My son,
Sending me fragrances
Of honeysuckle and jasmine.

To Jonathan from Your Mother

Nine months I carried you inside me, until you were born. You came out laughing, I think. What a gift you were to the world, Jonathan.
Today it is nine months since you "went away." Is that why this winter has been so icy and cold? It is missing your bright light and the warmth of your smile.
Spring will come and bring rebirth to so many things. If only you could rise up again, fully- formed and perfect, from the greening grass, with the tulips and the hyacinths...and come in our door, bearing your loving smile and a bouquet of daffodils.

Jonathan was music. Charlotte recently gave me one of Jonathan's guitars to care for and play. It's a Gretsch 1957 Silver Jet. Simply gorgeous. I've been playing it out when our band has a performance. I left the strings on it that he had on it. When I play it I feel humble, like I'm praying, giving Jonathan a voice here on earth. I'm thinking, he's probably smiling when I play it. Jonathan was not only music, he was smiles. I always loved Jonathan's smile. Live on, Jonathan.
David, his stepfather