He Was A Simple Man

The song, "Simple Man," by Lynyrd Skynyrd, resonates deep with me this week. Once upon a time, I went and saw what was then the remnants of Lynyrd Skynyrd, three, yes, three times, in concert. Leon was the only surviving, original member of the band. I met him once- in Bangor, Maine. He put his arm around me and escorted me to the bar, where my friends awaited me, including my boyfriend, Sam. I bought Leon a drink (while my friends agreed he should have bought one for me). It was a moment I will never forget.

I will also never forget that night hearing my hotel room door being virtually banged down by an irate, sleepy and embarrassed Sam, who, in his sleeping stupor, had walked out of our room, and found himself in nothing but his boxers, at the front desk trying to figure out what room were were in, at about four in the morning.

Leon died about two weeks later while on tour with the band, in Miami. It was a true end of an era. I felt fortunate that I had the opportunity to tell him how much I appreciated the band, their lyrics and that nearly every song could still be rocked out to twenty years after they had penned them all.

Sam was an only child, born to hippies who taught him the way of the earth. They taught him that being simple and true to one's self was best. Life was not about how much you had, but how much you appreciated everything around you. After his parents split, his taste for relationships were not pleasant, or at least the thought of marriage. "All marriages fail," he would tell me on many an occasion- usually when the topic of "what's next" would come up. "Why can't we just be simple and live together and love each other?"

And so we did. For a long time. He was my simple man.

Time passed. And so did our relationship- the way of the tide- a tide that never did come back in. After a long time of questioning, late night phone calls, tears and then healing- we became friends again. I was happy and away from the environment we called our home. He had conquered his demons and had moved on to the other coast to start anew.

"It's so nice to have a civil conversation with you, Lisa. I am glad we are friends."
"Me too. I am so proud of you, Sam. I never lost faith in you. You are the most driven man I know. You work so hard. Keep setting your mind to the next mountain to conquer and you'll be happy. You are my friend and always will be. Call me whenever you don't think you can conquer what ever it is. I am here for you. I know you better than anyone else on this earth."

He never called.

After I received the news this week that he had passed away, I was devastated.
I found my pictures of him. Pictures when we were living and loving together. Camping, canoeing in Northern Maine. On his boat. Playing with our dog, Micah. I thought of Sam in his happy places in life. That is where my memories of him will remain.

It is my hope to all that knew him- through the good, the bad, the ugly and the goofy, find that time in your life that you loved him most. And keep those memories vivid.