My friend Joe Snare died last week. No one should have to suffer cancer the way he did the past three years, but least of all him. He was likely the cleanest-living, nicest guy I’ll ever meet. Gentle and loving.
He didn’t deserve the suffering, but he took it, and he bore it with grace and strength. He died still teaching me lessons on how to live.
I fell short of worthy of a friend like Joe Snare
I’m not sure I deserved a friend like Joe. It’s a friendship I now feel like I largely squandered. I should have been there more for him. Honestly, I should have learned more from him.
I had the privilege of playing bass to his drums in our band Kevin Fayte and Rocket 8. But we were young. And I was too stupid to really appreciate what he was giving me without expecting anything back.
Joe Snare’s talents
Joe was immensely talented. Multi instrumentalist, a clever song writer, a playwright, and much more. Here he is playing my favorite song of his with his lovely daughter Grace.
He invited me several times to come and play at the open mic he hosted. I did…exactly once. Then I was too busy to support him. I’m now ashamed that I wasn’t there for him more often.
Appreciate your loved ones
But he never lost faith in me, though I’m sure he should have. Oh, I would always have “some day”. And now I don’t. Joe’s gone. Now I feel sorry for myself. I should have…If only I would have…I could have…and I didn’t.
Don’t take your loved ones for granted. One day, they will not be there. Be there for them now, while you can.
Joe died loving life and loving his people. I’m proud to have been one of his people. I only wish now that I had acted more like that was as important to me as it should have been.
Goodbye brother Joe Snare
The last time he said goodbye to me, as he lay dying in his hospital bed, he called me “brother”. Teaching lessons to the end. No matter that I wasn’t there for him over the years as I should have been. He still loved me like a brother. I love him for that. I will miss him.