remembering david cassidy - six years on

Six years ago today, on November 21, 2017, we lost David Cassidy. David was only 67 years old, which may seem old to many, but it isn't, and no matter how you look at it, it is way too young to leave this world.
      I am feeling very emotional today.  It may seem strange to some, but like so many, I still feel the pain of losing David. For those touched by his life, music, and work, he meant so much to so many for many different reasons. As time passes and life continues to grow so busy and stressful, I try not to dwell too much on it, but it is always there.
     Recently, I lost another musician, long-time hero, and mentor in the passing of Jimmy Buffett. Jimmy, I knew, but David, I didn't, even though I felt like I did. Losing Jimmy was unexpected and very painful for so many, and his death has been difficult to process on many levels. While trying to come to terms with Jimmy's passing, his death got me thinking in anticipation of today.        
     In dealing with the death of Jimmy Buffett at 76, also much too young to leave us, the fact that he lived a full, complete, and happy life helps many of us deal with him going unexpectedly, with still so much music and life left in him. Still, he accomplished everything he wanted to in life and so much more, but unlike David, I know Jimmy had an ocean of inner peace, happiness, good friends, family, colleagues, and an overflowing joy for living his life, which he so freely gave to the world, which I don't think David had for the majority of his.  
      Like many entertainers who battle the inner demons and unforgiving life circumstances that being in the entertainment business can chain to your shoulders, I think David threw himself into his work until he couldn't take it anymore, and life got the better of him. Feeling this way is what continuously breaks my heart about losing David so young.   
      David was my first. He was my first hero. David was the catalyst that made me want to be a musician my entire life. He was why I wanted to play guitar, sing, and entertain the world. David ignited that initial eternal flame in my soul. For that, he felt like much more than a close friend and family member to me. And like someone you love deeply, you want them to be happy and live a healthy life abundant with joy, love, contentment, peace of mind, faith, family, and gratitude. My heart is breaking again today, despite his enormous success, thinking about how unfair and painful so much of life was to David and how it led him to make some of the choices he felt he had to make.
     But to end this message on a bright note, David had strength, personality, fortitude, passion, the will to succeed, and a never-ending overflowing fountain of talent. Because of his strong life traits, he left us with a vast legacy of beautiful music and so much more to enjoy and share with future generations. So today, while listening to his music, I will once again thank him for giving us all he had to give and pray that wherever he is, he is at peace at last and that his big, beautiful smile is shining and lighting up the heavens.

Cherish is the word...
            Jeff