A Special Gathering

I know Gregory would love to have all of you strap backpacks on and slog miles across the Sierra--something really hard--to get to his celebration, but James and I found a really lovely spot not far from his house: Oak Grove at O'Neill Park. Mark your calendars for:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 AT 10:00 AM
O'NEILL REGIONAL PARK
30892 TRABUCO CANYON RD.
TRABUCO CANYON

http://www.ocparks.com/oneillpark/

Head east all the way out on El Toro Rd. At Cook's Corner, turn right on Live Oak Canyon Rd. and continue on for about 3 miles. You'll see the park entrance to the right. The spot we have reserved is just to the right of the park gate/office.

We encourage all of you to carpool if possible. The park charges $5 per car, and although there's parking near where we'll be, we don't know what our numbers will be.

James and I sat in Oak Grove for a long time this morning just to be sure it has the right kind of magic that Gregory would have loved. It did. You'll know, too, when you see it.

The dress code for Saturday is casual. The ground is leafy and a little uneven in spots, so wear comfortable shoes. There are a few picnic benches off aways, so if you need to sit, please bring a chair. We'll have extras. Don't worry about standing around in the sun, the oak trees form a gorgeous leafy canopy overhead. Our park reservation is good for the entire day; feel free to stay on in the park, pack a lunch, and hike a trail.

Some people are asking if they can bring something. We're bringing Starbucks coffee, juice, water (no booze in the park), so if anyone would like to bring pastries or fruit since it's the morning that would be fantastic.

Gregory's wishes were to bring all his friends together in a beautiful corner of nature and enjoy the moment. As he always said on his voice mail recording after he mentioned where he'd be performing for the week; "Come on out! I'll see you there."

Please RSVP James at jameskun@mac.com with RSVP in the subject line, so we can get an idea about our numbers. Thanks!

Love, Pam

Dad's fight is over

Dad's long fight with cancer has come to an end. He passed away last night in peace. The room was filled with the kind of wonderful quiet he always loved. Dad was surrounded by loved ones who whispered beautiful things to him when all he had could do was listen. I held him and told him what a brave man, beautiful person and wonderful father he has been.

Dad asked me to carry out his final wishes. One of them is that there will be a grand wake. We will all mourn his passing. But Dad wanted us to celebrate all the beauty there is in life.

I will share the arrangements and details with you on this web log as soon as I can. Feel free to leave a comment for all, but you can also email me at jameskun@mac.com.

Dedication

A few thoughts for all of us as Greg M. and I get ready to go over to the Coleman Keep for a morning of breakfast and visiting with James and Gregory.

One dear friend said recently that what really fascinated her about Greg when her son started taking lessons from him years ago, was that he had dedicated his life to music. He didn't just play part time (like most of us), but filled every hour with art (I'm sure his mountain climbing was artful) and helped us all to feel the passion he felt at a piece of music suffused with genius, or at the beauty of a simple E chord on the guitar. She said she had never met a person so dedicated to art.

And now we learn firsthand about the people who dedicate themselves to caring for the ill. Not the chemical geniuses or the docs with the rocket ship lasers, but the experienced people who know just how to help a sick person into a wheelchair, or into a bed. Those whose job it is to stay up all night and watch when loved ones can no longer do it all. They could have other jobs, easier jobs with easier hours, but they choose caretaking and nursing. Understated love and calm strength to help us all.

The teams line up

Even on a three-day weekend. Efrain, Jennifer, Samirah, Pam, Mark W., Clyde, Kindness. Each person I know brings a special
feeling. Jennifer has kept the faith for almost three years now since diagnosis, and never failed. Samirah I haven't seen in 14 years, and reconnected at last. I want to write about every one, I don't know that I will have the time. I certainly won't have the time to teach my 85 year old mother about blogs, but if she ever does, she is my hero of the lifetime. much less hero of the week. Goodnight all.

Gregory

Searching

Dear Friends:
My latest adventure was driving up to LA through holiday traffic to redo the CT scans they screwed up on yesterday. But it went really really well. Capt and Com. James Coleman , Rosemary Shadwick as helmswoman and pilot , Shiloh as man Purser and Supercargo, we made it there and back.

I am looking for some nursing help, day or night help. I have to ask for recommendations. The yellow pages say that I am just outside the area for help, So I am turning to you reccomendations. Help!!!.

Also, many are quite concerned about my spiritual welfare No doubt, my prayers are bonded with yours as they ascend up to God at night. Give my personal relationship the opportunity of growing with God. He loves you and me both in ways we cannot understand.

Much love to you all

Gregory Coleman

An update for everyone

Dad's home. I've received many email and phone messages in the past several hours asking what the outcome was today. The docs at USC are now in the planning phase prior to starting the cyber-knife treatment. The planning may take up to two weeks, so for now, we're home. Dad sends everyone his love. The tribe sends everyone our thanks for ongoing support. More details later.