We (my wife and the girls and I) were in town specifically to go to my Topeka High School reunion. (It's hard to believe it's been 25 years!)
My wife (Diane) and I snuck away Saturday afternoon and drove out to Mitch's parent's house. We were greeted at the door by Mitch's girlfriend, Shelly. As we went in the living room, there stood Mitch, by himself (his dad close by) with a big smile to greet us. We said our initial hellos, and sat down to visit. I keep forgetting how tall Mitch is until I stand right next to him. Me being 6' 3", it is rare that I look up to people. (What is he, 6' 4", 6' 5"?)
He was very happy to see his guitar we had brought up from Wichita (it had been in Rich's manager's office since the accident), and thanked me for bringing it. We also brought some letters that had been mailed to Kid Brothers, and some personal letters I received to hand carry to him. My first impression, was that he really looked awfully good for being in such a serious accident just four weeks ago. He was moving kinda slow and deliberate, and had a patch on one eye (he told me that was to help improve his vision). I must offer at this point a major "Amen!" that he is moving at all - on his own power, no less!
There was a pretty big pile of letters and boxes in the corner of the living room, but because his vision is still blurry, he hasn't really been able to read anything. His mom and dad, have been reading him some stuff.
I asked him if it was good to be home, and he said definitely. He told me he was just discharged from the rehab hospital the previous day, and would now continue his therapy on an out-patient basis (therapy every day - except weekends - all day long, but then go home to sleep). We visited a little with his parents, Doug and Wendy, since this was the first time we had ever met in person. Mitch didn't really say much. He was his usual quiet self, but said more than once how neat it was for us to come see him, and how great it was that everyone was praying for him. I told him how we still had every intention of helping him do a web page and mailing list, but that because his priorities were obviously changed, we would just put that stuff on hold for awhile. In addition to everyone praying for him, I told him he would not be forgotten while he took this time to heal. I also told his mom and dad that many were praying for them as well. When I asked Mitch if he had a message for me to relay to the mailing list, he said, "Tell everyone I'm OK, and keep praying."
At Doug's request we kept the visit short, and excused ourselves. Doug told me Mitch still gets tired pretty quick and it happens before he realizes it (hence the request to keep the visit short). My wife (who in her medical experience dealt with numerous head injury cases over 14 years), said it will most likely take a long time for Mitch to get to 100 percent recovery, however miracles can and do happen, and the doctors still expect full recovery.
As Mitch said, keep Praying!
I have received many messages asking how Beaker is doing.
Rich's manager and I got together about week and a half ago for lunch, and I had a nice surprise when Beaker showed up with him. I knew he was in town (as I had just seen him at the Canticle performance at Friends University the previous evening). It was a pleasure to meet him, especially since in all the years he was around here, we were never officially introduced. We had a nice visit, and while we talked about music and the Canticle and other industry stuff, we spent most of our time talking about computers and the Internet. He is still struggling with Rich's death, but seemed to be OK. Before we said goodbye, I told him that though I was sure he had already heard this, I wanted to assure him that I was personally aware of hundreds of people that were praying for him, as he continues to grieve.
I will reiterate my prayer request from four weeks ago. Please pray for Beaker, all the Ragamuffins, and all those in the CCM industry who worked so close to Rich, and who really miss him.
I have also received many questions regarding these various Rich memorabilia -
tapes of memorial broadcasts and specials (specifically the 20: The Countdown special)
videos of concerts
music (whether it be songbooks for albums, music for the Canticle, or dulcimer music)
T-shirts from past concerts
books (specifically the one Rich was supposedly writing about Appalachian Tales)
I do not have any more info than has been posted to this mailing list (which, granted, is very little), but will do so as soon as I hear anything. If anyone out there has any information on any of these items, please let me know.
Please understand that no one close to Rich (especially Rich's manager) is in a hurry to run out and start "marketing Rich stuff" (for obvious reasons)
With the rise in interest in the works of G. K. Chesterton, one of Rich's favorite authors, I thought I would relay this info sent to me by Charles Mayberry.
From reading Chesterton, it is easy to see how influential he was upon Rich and his work. The wiry wit and profound insight is definitely Rich! If you get a hold of Orthodoxy, check out the last line of the first chapter. It sounds alot like "I did not make it, no it is making me. It's the very truth of God and not the invention of any man" from Creed. Since I've e-mailed you last, I found a G.K. Chesterton homepage that houses many of his works including Orthodoxy. It is great reading! The internet address for the site is: http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dcs0mpw/gkc/ I found it interesting that C. S. Lewis also cited Chesterton as a major influence upon his life and thought. I hope you find some use out of this info and get a chance to check out the site. Let me know what you think! Yours in Christ, Charles
In closing, I have been asked how I will remember Rich's birthday tomorrow (10/21). As some of you attend the memorial in Cincinnati, I will be praying specifically for your safe travel, for all of Rich's close friends from Cincinnati Bible College, but mostly for Rich's mom, as she spends her son's birthday without him.