| Sometimes we'd just sit backstage while the front show was going on, not saying a word. Sometimes I'd be laughing so hard I would cry because he was telling me a joke or a story from his days with Elvis. Sometimes he'd be sitting in his pink chair with his legs folded "Indian Style" and I knew he needed some time to be quiet. Sometimes we would talk about life and God. At times we'd argue, sometimes we'd agree. Other times we'd talk about the show that night and what we were going to do. I would ask if he wanted to do a certain number and sometimes we would talk about it in great detail, other times he would say "I don't care, whatever you want to do." There were so many facets to Charlie and over the years I was blessed to see many. I took some of our time for granted and that I regret, but how was I to know that he'd be gone so soon, well, too soon for me anyway. We drove to New York and back, I wasn't bored once. He filled the trip with great stories, jokes and interesting banter. He was from another generation, another time. He had seen and done so much already in his life by the time I arrived on the scene. I was almost too late, but I arrived in time to know him for the last ten years of his life and I didn't realize how much he was a part of me until he wasn't there anymore. Now there's a void, an ache, wishing he was still here. There was so much I would have done, so much I would have said to him if I would have known how short my time with him would be. I wonder if he really knew how I felt about him, how much I respected him, how much I loved him. Just one more time...I wish I could sit in my chair and he sit in his...just one more time...that I could look over at him and say, "Charlie, my friend, I love you, you have touched me and made such an impact on my life. Thank you for giving me your time, your heart, your laughter, your passion, your knowledge and your life." Now he is gone...yet not gone for good. There will be "another time." He is just sleeping right now...until that time when Christ returns...and he will awake again...and be raised...on that day, when we all get to heaven...I'll find Charlie, he'll be a sight for sore eyes, I'll hug his neck and say; "Hello my friend, it's great to see you again, I've really missed you!" by Lou Vuto |
| Just One More Time |
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