Sunday, November 04, 2007

In Memoriam - Marvin H. "Buddy" Bounds, Jr.

Departed this life October, 20, 2007


From the last email to me:


I remember playing duets with you in the big Victorian house on Rail Road St. The music spinning and twisting it’s way through the thick aromas coming from the tobacco warehouses downtown and mingling with the sweetness of the honeysuckle vines climbing the pecan trees out in the yard.


The cool autumn air lies lightly upon thankful flesh. Raising goosebumps of delight. Summers in South Georgia are a particularly harsh form of Hell. They must be endured in order to be appreciated. Torture indeed. Autumn was glorious respite.

I remember the siren song of gaudy music coming from the “Fall Fair” crammed onto the dirt lots and alleyways behind the rickety old warehouses. Those dusty fields, known only once a year as the “Fairgrounds”, were a wonderland of activity, movement and flashing lights. Smiles all around and laughter rose to a tumult.

The barker’s spiel calling out over an unimaginable dreamscape directly to the eager hearts of entertainment starved children in tiny towns. Strange men calling with promises of mystery and amusement.

“Step right up folks.” “100% guaranteed to be Alive.” “See the ancient wonders in your own backyard.”

I loved autumn in Hahira back then. The smells and emotions waft over me still. Candy apples and memories that stick to this day.
I will miss you my friend....

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I made a call yesterday to an old and dear friend from my high school years back in Tennessee. It's been 27 years since we roamed the halls of Tellico Plains High School but it seems like just yesterday. I consider him my brother and he is one of my two best friends in this world, not counting my soon to be wife. He informed me that he was doing better now and was back at work. I didn't know anything about what he was getting ready to tell me. Cold, flu something minor was what came to mind. My heart sank when he told me he had a massive heart attack, died for sixteen minutes and only survived because he was airlifted to the univesity of Tennessee hospital. Two thoughts came to mind. 1)He could have died and I wouldn't have known. Can you imagine the shock both his widow and I would have been in when I called to talk to my friend and he was long gone? 2)I'm his same age, I have 2 new grand children. Am I going to have the same fate? We both grew up smoking and drinking not knowing what could befall us in the years to come. We were invincible, nothing could hurt us. I guess there are 2 morals to the story. I'm sure many more can be found, but I'll focus on two. First, 45 has come way too fast, cherish every day you have as if it were your last. Make that call or write that e-mail today, you might not have that chance tomorrow. 2)Take care of yourself. You really don't know the disappointment and grief you will cause your loved one's when they have to tell your long lost friend when they call not knowing you are gone how you passed.

May the wind always blow into your sails and fortune follow you where ever you may go.

Cliff said...

What a wonderful tribute to Buddy. He was a great guy.