It’s A New Dawn, It’s A New Post…

I have decided to choose a path after being at a crossroads for far too long, my friends.

It’s taken time, more grains of sand through the hourglass than I could ever count in fact, but I’ve finally emerged from the shroud of darkness Rockin’ Ronnie’s untimely end thrust me into. So I have that going for me. Which is nice.

 

But even though he met a tragic end Rockin’ Ronnie has been and always will be a source of light in my life.

And I’d like that light to keep shining for as long as I’m here on this plane of existence, kids.

But in the early days of this tragedy I had no idea how that was ever going to happen. Then my wife, Dog bless her, hit on a golden plan.

And so, at her urging, the Bellmen and virtually every other department in the hotel opened their hearts and, most importantly, their wallets, to raise funds to do some good in the name of our fallen brother-in-arms.

I’m happy, no scratch that, I’m overjoyed to report that it took less than a week of actual effort to raise a thousand Canadian dollars (which is about $8.50 American) which we have donated to two diverse, yet equally significant causes.

Project SHARE is a Niagara Falls based organization that helps people below the poverty line keep food in their cupboards and hope in their hearts. And A.N. Myer is a local high school here in Niagara that is known for it’s students’ academic excellence. Thanks to the generosity of my fellow wage slaves we have established The Ronnie Stevens Christmas Wish and The Rockin’ Ronnie Backstage Pass For Music Education.

The Rockin’ Ronnie Christmas Wish provided five hundred bucks to ensure a six-person (two adults, four rug rats) family had a decent Christmas last year. And The Ronnie Stevens Backstage Pass For Music Education (you can blame yours truly for that mouthful) is about give five hundred bucks to one or two students who wish to pursue a higher education in the art of transmuting noises into music.

Granted, we’ve only acted on a small scale with these causes, but that’s exactly the point. My friend wasn’t a world famous rock ‘n roller. He wasn’t a philanthropist who wielded immeasurable power. He didn’t change the world.

But he was a good father and a loving husband. He was a local rock ‘n roll hero who played countless benefits in the Niagara region.

And he was my friend.

And my wife, my beautiful, amazing wife, wanted him to live on in some form and so he will. Now I have to listen to what my soulmate has been telling me for months and get back to the business of living while still keeping the ballad of Rockin’ Ronnie in my heart.

So that’s what I’m going to do.

See you in the lobby, friends…