We are all touched by special people throughout our lives. Here are some thoughts about that.
A special friend from the sixties…
Looking over our lives we remember those who have touched us in powerful ways. As a student at Emory College I was fortunate enough to befriend Ronnie Milsap. I was living in the Sigma Chi house which was the second house at the top of fraternity row. Ronnie lived in the dorm at the top of the row. That was half a block away. While a student Ronnie created a band with other students. One of his band members was Gus who was a Sig pledge. Gus was a polio surviver. Gus was partially paralyzed on his right side. Despite that handicap Gus was a drummer in Ronnie group.
For a while Ronnie hung out regularly at the Sig House. Our house had a Grand Piano in the ‘Music Room.’ Ronnie would often sit at the baby grand to play for us. We Sigs love to sing! He could sing anything and could imitate any of the popular artists of the time. Ronnie was a pre-law student. Visiting his room many times, you noticed that his music collection was incredible and occupied on whole wall of his dorm room. Ronnie was special. Surely he must have had his trials being blind but his smile was infectious. He was a happy soul to be near.
Ronnie often performed for the Sigma Chi parties. I became the Sig’s social chairman. So if Ronnie wasn’t our ‘band’ for a party he was usually able to direct me to some other great bands. Atlanta in the early sixties was the ‘hotbed’ for rhythm and blues bands. We Sigs had some great parties as a result. Mostly in hindsight thanks to Ronnie.
Soon I heard that Ronnie was performing at some of the ‘hotspots’ in Hotlanta. He was performing at both country venues and rock venues. As he broadened his musical career his pre-law ambitions must have given way to his musical talents. That was a blessing to the rest of us. He touched my life in the warmest way. For that I am Grateful.
This morning Ronnie’s memory came to me watching YouTube performers. Others have touched my life from infancy to old age. Too many to thanks individually…For them all I am GRATEFUL…
Let us Celebrate all who have touched us. Ronnie was Blessed and this video seems to express the belief that Ronnie knows the the Good Lord was the source of his Blessing…enJOY!