Indie’s Gone/Easter is Near
I’m gonna be on a reduced schedule for a few days. I have a funeral to go to. Indie didn’t make it all the way to Easter. Bless his heart, I think he decided to pass on so as not to foul up everyone’s holiday.
I can’t find the words yet; I guess I ain’t that great a writer. Jesus was the Lifeboat, but He sent me a lot of humans to help along the way. Indie was at the top of my list. Whenever I saw hard times, and I have seen a lot as a Doc, Indie was the cat who saw me through.
Indie wouldn’t have us grieve long. He always said he wasn’t one bit worried about how he might die; he was more concerned with living good. He did that.
Indie cut a wide swath while he was here. If any Doc ever convinced me we were only human, it was Indie. When I first gave him my manuscript to read, I told him I was gonna show the whole story, imperfections and all.
He opened the box, pulled out the draft, and flipped through a few pages. Then he took a draw off his cigarette and said, “Bibey, I ain’t one damn bit worried about that. It’s a well known fact I have no known imperfections,” and then laughed out loud. Indie was more comfortable with himself than anyone I’ve ever known.
Indie went to church but he didn’t make it every Sunday. He said he was a half-ass Episcopalian, but he always went to the weddings and funerals to sing. He thought it was respectful. He always made the Easter Sunrise service too. We’d watch the sun come up and then go to the cabin. Indie’d cook up bacon and eggs. He always had a basket for the kids. After breakfast he’d get out his fiddle and we’d play a few tunes.
Indie was all about rememption and forgiveness. “We’re only human, Bibey. We can’t help that.”
I’m not sure how we’ll get over Indie being gone. I’m gonna start Sunday at the Sunrise Service, and then go to the cabin and cook up some bacon and eggs. Marfar said she’d get a basket together for the young’uns, and then I’m gonna play a tune in his memory.
Maybe he ain’t gonna be there, but then again I believe he is and always will be. There was only one Indie, and in spite of his flaws he was my hero.
Dr. B
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
April 10, 2009 at 6:15 am
Dr. Tom,
While you may not feel that you’ve found the words, what you expressed was heartfelt love and admiration for a wonderful individual.. a friend.
You are unquestionable a very good writer.
DF
April 10, 2009 at 6:26 am
Ms. Flower,
I am blessed to still have my Earthly Father, and we always have the Heavenly Father, but Indie was a Father figure to me also.
My story is really Indie’s story, and that is why I have to tell it. I can’t break a promise to a dying man, especially Indie, so I have to see it through.
Dr. B
April 10, 2009 at 6:31 am
How appropriate for Indie to die on Good Friday! He played an important part in your life, and I’m (we’re, actually, ’cause Irene will be right there with me) eager to read the whole story. Indie’s story will live on through your book, and a good thing it is, too. – Ted
April 10, 2009 at 6:33 am
Doc, you feel you don’t have words because there ARE none; we may have a gift with manipulating language, but our language is often wholly insufficient to the task. I agree with Ms. Flower, though; you’ve managed to convey everything we need to know here.
My heart to you.
April 10, 2009 at 6:40 am
ms chili,
Bless you. One day I am gonna get to New England and play a song to honor Indie. When you get down to it, my book is but a human attempt to give him some small measure of Earthly immortality.
Dr. B
April 10, 2009 at 6:41 am
Ted,
Come to think of it, it was right after midnight. Good Friday. What a good man Indie was. For a human being, he was about as good as I’ve run into.
Dr. B
April 10, 2009 at 9:02 am
Indie will be missed by us all. He became one of my heros simply by reading your blog. People come into our lives and affect them in ways we might not know. He had courage and kindness and a great big heart. You were lucky in deed that one such unique individual was in your corner. And, you all will be playing together in the by and by.
April 10, 2009 at 10:47 am
Ms newt,
Even though Indie is physically gone, his ways will go on. If nothing else, I am going to show all about him in the book. And too, I’d gonna try to more like him, except I’m not gonna take up smoking cigarettes.
Dr. B
April 10, 2009 at 3:27 pm
It is unfortunate that Indie is gone; I know he will be missed, as well as his ways of life. Fortunately he will live on in your book, as well as his ways. I for one cannot wait till I get to read more about him. May his tale live up to the man he was. I know he was proud of it.
April 10, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Julius,
Indie was mortal and is physically gone from Earth, but his spirit and ideas will live on.
Indie would have never bragged on himself, but I am gonna make sure people know of him.
Dr. B
April 11, 2009 at 8:48 am
Every now and then in this life we’re privileged to be touched by angels, often, as it’s said, “surprised by angels”. Indie, from what I know of him through your eyes and words, would scoff at such an idea, but nevermind. He gave you (and us) a glimpse of what is really important, of what we should really value, of the path we’re all asked to walk.
I share your grief, Doc, and send you a virtual hug, secure in the knowledge that with Indie, all is well.
Bob
April 11, 2009 at 8:56 am
Parson,
Indie was a rough and tumble Angel, but an Angel nonetheless. He saw me through a lot of hard times. Before Indie I was a little boy with a good Doctor brain, but he made a man out of me.
Hope all of you have a blessed Easter.
Dr. B
April 11, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Losing a friend shrinks our lives. A friend of such scale and warmth and influence on those who appreciated him is very hard to lose, but much remains with those who are temporarily left behind, as your posts show.
I am reading more of your Indie posts. Greatness is not always universally recognized. I appreciate reading your recognitions of your friend.
And may you have a blessed Easter, as well.
April 11, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Felix,
I am Doc by profession, but Indie was my inspiration to try to write. I could not let him be forgotten.
Dr. B
April 12, 2009 at 9:18 am
Dr. B, I’m so sorry to hear that Indie is gone. This must be an extremely tough time for you, especially when it’s a holiday today and all. I know that Indie made an impression on this digital world of yours as well, through your stories. I think we will all remember him through your words, and if I understand correctly, he will be throughout your book as well.
From everything you told us about him, he was a remarkable man, soul and friend, and I’m sure it will be extremely hard going for a while as you mourn this wonderful person.
My consolations and my support to you in these hard days, Doc. Truly, my thoughts are with you.
April 12, 2009 at 9:56 am
ms slightly,
It is a hard time, but Indie prepared all of us well, and taught me to try not to fear being mortal.
My book really is to honor Indie, because thru him I learned so much about how to deal with adversity. I think he was not gonna leave this world until he was certain I knew how to make it without him.
When I see hard times, I will always call on his memory. We just got though playing a few tunes and talking about him. I am going to post on that soon.
Dr. B
April 13, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Doc,Neuse River Mississippi will honor Indie. I noticed that more is to come on Indie.Please tell us more of Indie and the thoughts he had on things.
April 13, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Smitty,
I feel like my book is to honor Indie. He asked that I write it to show what happened. I said, “But Indie, it’s your story, and I’m not even a writer.”
He said, “The story is about all of us, and you’ll be a writer by the time you finish it.”
As so often happened with Indie he could see what was going to happen better than most of us can.
Dr. B