by Dr_Dad » Sun Apr 11, 2004 5:00 am
Dear Al,
I cannot express the depths of my sadness for you now, and I know your own sadness certainly exceeds that. However, it is clear Nick and Mary raised a son that they frequently and very publically proclaimed they were very proud of. And why not; what parent would not be proud of such a son -- successful yet always humble, talented yet gently self-effacing, famous yet easily approachable, intelligent and driven yet full of love and laughter.
Their influence on you and your work is evident to anyone who knows you and your music. You joyfully invited them to be a part of your work through your TV shows and videos, and they graciously accepted -- and as a result we get an intimate glimpse of how you became the man you are. We see Nick's zest for life, his marvelous sense of humor, his love and devotion for you and Mary. We see Mary's kindness to others, her love of family and friends, her dedication in making things the best they can be. They have helped form you as entertainer, band leader, friend, husband, and father. For all that you are, we all have those two wonderful, jolly, loving people to be eternally grateful to. They have enriched your life, as you have enriched ours and countless others around the world.
So, now, in your time of grief, we recall how you and your music have helped so many of us over our own times of grief and pain. Worries over finding a new job, the loss of a family member, struggles through depression -- I know you have heard the stories from your fans of how your music has brought us back from our depths of our sorrows. Let us -- your fans -- share your grief with you now, and we hope that our combined love and prayers will help bring you back from your own deep sorrows. We owe you at least that, for all you -- and Nick and Mary -- have given us for over 25 years of love and laughter.
And you will laugh again someday. Whenever you are ready. And on that day that you are, we will be ready to laugh once again with you.
May God bless you, Suzanne, little Nina, Aunt Dot, Aunt Lena, and Uncle Joe, and your whole extended family.
Jim "Dr. Dad" H.
New Orleans
Bee bomp a chonk a donk bim bang boo !!