Michael Kern, the Kerrville Budda

My family and I have been attending Kerrville since 1996.  The first year I met Michael and the Camp Bungie group when my friend Erika Scott and I camped beside them the second weekend of the festival.  The Camp Bungie group treated us as old friends even though we had only just met.  But over time we did become "old friends". 
My twins were 9 that first summer we camped beside Michael, Ronzo, Sherry, Greg and Kat.  But on a yearly basis my kids got to know what the Austin/Kerrville music world was about.  We spend many steamy hot summer days and nights laughing and cooling our heels in the the wadding pool next to the camp. 

I will never forget the expression on Michaels face the day that my twins, then 9, began playing "paddy cake" to the rythm of the song he was playing.  I don't remember the son but I remember the joy on his face and the girls faces.  I think I have a photo somewhere. I am going to look for it this weekend.

Grief is an odd thing

From year to year we think about Michael during the time between with fondness and eagerness to see him again, like an old family member you love but only get to see on holidays.  But Michael brought our family a unique touch of calmness and generosity that nobody in my family expresses.  Of course, we also have the joy of listening to his music on our ipod and computers as we work. This has become more of a regular thing lately since I have been working from home almost every day since August 1st.  His music is a regular companion.  I don't feel the loss yet, really. I mean, I know he is gone, Greg called to tell me about his passing on Sunday.  But it still hasn't sunk in. 

What will it be like in Kerrville now?

You know, the strange thing is that I think I will miss him more than I will miss either of my parents when their time comes.  I felt closer to him, during our annual visits then I have felt with my parents since I left home.  Michael knew how to connect with people on such a deep level.  He could cut right to the heart of a matter without much thought and knew what to say to settle a disagreement or to build you up if you felt down. 
We have photos of all the crew eating with us, playing music for us, and waving good bye as we packed up our tent and headed out until the next year. 
The reality of it won't really hit me until we drive up to Camp Bungie and not only is Ronzo gone, but our dear friend Michael, too.

Heaven's Folk Band

When Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix and Elvis died there was a song about the great rock and roll band in heaven.  Well, now it seems to me there they are, Ronzo and Michael playing to their hearts content in heaven.  But by gosh, I wasn't ready for them to leave here.  Selfish though it may be, I hadn't heard enough of his wisdom or his music and I don't know how I will survive a weekend in Kerrville without him.