4/8/1940 - 11/19/2004

In August of 2004, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She was given 6 to 12 months to live and she barely made 3. On the morning of November 18th, my mother who had lived with me for the past 3 years called me to her bedside and whispered to me that she was ready to go to Heaven. I felt helpless and devastated, it was a moment I always feared but I knew eventually would come. At 7:30 PM the following day, the love of my life was gone, it was without a doubt the worst day of my life!! There is not a day that I don't think of her, she was always there for me and loved me unconditionally. She loved to see me perform, it is what she enjoyed the most.. She was and always will be my biggest fan and I was certainly hers. Family and friends flew from all around the country which was very difficult because it was Thanksgiving time...some Thanksgiving huh! We laid my Mother to rest the day after Thanksgiving. My brother Eddie took it upon himself to remind me that our Dad asked me to sing at his funeral when he passes and if I didn't sing at Mom's she would be upset. I have to tell you that I was very reluctant. I have sung in front of 30,000 people and to some that might be difficult to do, but to sing at my Mom's funeral I just didn't think that I could do it. When the time came for me to do this daunting task, I was a mess! I was a human grease fire, my emotions were all over the place and trying to get the best of me but when I started to sing I said to myself "David if there was ever one thing  that you need to do in your life, this is it, do it for Mom"...and I honestly believe in my heart she helped me through it! The song that I sang was "Circle Of Life" by Elton John. From what I understand there wasn't a dry eye in the house, I wouldn't have known because I couldn't look up at the crowd, if I would have, I'm sure that I would've completely lost it. When I was done singing, I thought that I was going to collapes, I have never experienced that kind of emotion and I don't ever want to feel that way again. My brother stood up and wrapped his arms around me and held me up. I thank God for giving me the strength and I thank my brother for talking me into it. I am so glad that I was able to get through it! If I sound like I was a Momma's boy well guess what...I am and always will be. I was so proud to be her son and I know she was proud of me. She told me everyday of her life without fail that she loved me and I will miss that the most! I know that this may sound odd but the night my mom died, I had my ex-wife Rhonda by my side, she wanted to be there with me. At the time I didn't realized how much it meant to me but she really helped me through my pain. Most break-ups usually don't end well but Rhonda and I have always remained close, I will always love her! During the days my Mom was sick, I had to take care of all of the funeral arrangements by myself....no good times there! The day before she died, she and I spent time picking out what she wanted to wear ...a black night gown and no shoes because as she put it, where she is going...she won't be doing any walking. My mother was staring death in the face and still managed to keep her sense of humor. I think it was her way of trying to ease some of my pain. The picture of my mom above is the photo we put on her headstone. The funeral home asked me if I wanted a generic poem for the little pamphlet they handed out when you walk in for the service. I said no I will write something myself and on the morning before she died I wrote this poem and had the opportunity to read it to her. She could not speak but tears came from her eyes, I know she heard me.

I would like to share it with you.

LIFE

SOME SAY THE STRENGTH OF LIFE
CAN BE MEASURED BY HOPE
SOME SAY LIFE IS A STATE OF MIND
AND SOME WILL SAY LIFE
IS JUST A MOMENT IN TIME
I SAY TIME IS THE ESCENCE
LIFE SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED
LIFE SHOULD NEVER BE JUST FOR THE PRIVILEGED
AND SOME WILL SAY LIFE AND DEATH
IS SIMPLY THE COURSE OF NATURE
I WOULD LIKE TO THINK IT IS THE BEGINNING
MY MOM LIVED HER LIFE THROUGH US
AND WITH THAT...I HAVE NO REGRETS
IT GIVES MY LIFE PEACE
GOODBYE FOR NOW MY LIFE
I WILL SEE YOU IN THE BEGINNING

David
11/19/04

I have recently added my one and only tatoo on my right arm. It has the numbers 381 on it in memory of my mother. It stands for...

3 words
8 letters
   1 meaning

I LOVE YOU

Leslie Glass was once married to my old friend and bass player DJ Glass from Mannekin. I sang at the wedding which was in Houston, Texas and although DJ & Leslie divorced a few years later, we kept in touch from time to time. I would see her when she was touring or an occasional phone call here and there. It is amazing to me that God could take away a woman so young and beautiful. Leslie loved animals and would do anything for them. I do hope that wherever she is now...there are plenty of Cats & Dogs to tend to. Again, Cancer is a terrible thing and it touches all of us in some way or form. Leslie, we will miss you!!!

Some of you might remember Jeff from the band SR71, I remember Jeff as a friend I really appreciated. I got to jam with him in Ocean City, Maryland a few summers back. We got to catch up on alot and talk alot about the old days, he and I talked about writing songs together but unfortunately we lost him at such a young age...you will be missed my friend!!