My friend, “Farmer”…
He called me “Sparky” or sometimes the derivative, “Sparkles”. I can’t really remember why anymore. He was the only one who called me by that nickname, and it was very endearing when he said it.
We all called him “Farmer”, (except for Annie, who called him “Paw”), although he didn’t make his living as a farmer. He sported a handlebar moustache that curled at the ends, wore a cowboy hat and boots, and had the most wonderful tenor voice…one that I’ve heard in my right ear while standing on the risers for more than 35 years.
He was down to earth, straightforward, and lovable. He showed me how to do the 2-step at an alumni party one year… patient, kind, and lots of fun! Although we lived several hundred miles away and only saw one another once a year, I knew had I ever needed him, he wouldn’t have hesitated a moment to be there for me.
When he sang, he gave it his all and could carry many of his fellow tenors along with him…not to mention sharing notes with the second soprano to his left (ME) every so often. I refused to be moved no matter what Mr. C (our director) desired, so that after the years went on, he stopped trying. We were a pair…a matched set…like a broken in pair of slippers that was comfortable and familiar. I loved hearing him sing; I loved having him there sharing the music with me; I loved Tom Welcher, my friend.
As I say those words, it’s the first time I’ve had tears come to my eyes. Maybe it’s because it’s just now starting to sink in that he’s gone. How can it be? I didn’t even know he had a heart problem! How can it be? In our minds and hearts every year when we all walk up to the risers to sing, we’re all still 18, 19, 20…even though we look at one another and know we’re really 45, 55, 65. How can it be? I didn’t get to say good-bye one more time…let him know how much his friendship has meant to me all these years…how much I’ve loved hearing his voice in my ear!
If I’d had the chance, I would have sung these words to him…we all would have sung these words to him:
Au revoir, au revoir
Time to part ’til we meet another day
Curtains rise, curtains fall; and today ends like any other day
Time to go, though we know, there are so many things we ought to say
But it’s done, come what may
Maybe one wonderful day, we’ll meet again
Until then….Au revoir
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You brought tears to my eyes KG. The pain you feel with Farmer leaving your life is in direct response to the joy that he brought to you when he was on those bleachers singing his heart out right next to you. He is looking down on “Sparky” right now and smilling and singing at the same time. You will both sing together again…..well after you reach 105.