"God is Laughing"

I  created this blog to share who I am, what I do, and where I go. 
It was my intention, after the 33rd Sharing the Fire and posting my Biography's to open April with some humor.
As they say "If you want to make God laugh, tell him you got a plan."

After months of a journey that started with pancreatic Cancer my friend Kevin Brooks has moved on to his next adventure that surpasses the need for his physical presence. I would like to celebrate his life and am thankful for knowing him.

I knew Kevin for just over a month of linear time. We met at MIT in 2005 during my first Sharing the Fire Storytelling conference. I was moved by his warm laughter and sincere interest in someone he had just met. I was the new guy, a volunteer who was awkward and a little out of place. 

The conference lasts 3 days and 2 nights each year. For my first 6 years I volunteered in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. In one way or another I worked with or around this tall Black man that was sweet as chocolate and as hard working as a mule. Kevin would tackle anything from setting up a room, to assisting Robert Smyth with the sound system.
I took a break from volunteering and still saw Kevin and his partner Laura Packer out and about during the conferences. Both would always take a moment for a hug, a laugh, and to once again make me feel welcomed to the storytelling community.
Kevin hosted "Some thing about Soup or Water" story swap for several years. It was held in the pool's hot tub or pool because Kevin loved water as much as he loved Story! 

I only attended one  Story event outside of the Conference with Kevin present, it was the was the open mic at First night Boston after Brother Blue had passed on. 

Through phone calls, emails, and through an occasional visit to Maine by his beloved Laura I have in one way or another been connected with Kevin for over 9 years, 3 days at a time.


When Kevin became sick in January I cried out  "Not Fair, no, not Kevin". My wife Bobbie and I followed Laura and Kevin's journey through the YouCaring.com website. It was honest raw and often emotionally uncomfortable for me to read. Cancer is not a comfortable subject. Yet Kevin and Laura could find humor. Kevin's air mattress became deflated and helpless he looked over to her and smiled shrugged his shoulders. Laura laughed because his black body among the white air mattress made him look like a S'more.

A week before Sharing the Fire 2014  Storytelling conference Laura shared that they were switching from a focus on treatment to one of comfort for Kevin's transition to his next adventure. Selfishly I got to admit I was worried that he may pass during the conference and bring a cloud of grief down upon me during the one time of year I reenergize my Storytelling energy.
Friday night on March 28th 2014 Kevin passed. I realized it had happened at 5am Saturday when I read Laura's letter. It then occurred to me that Kevin was no longer bound by his physical condition. He could be in Kansas City with his wife, children, and friends. He could be in Massachusetts with his old MIT colleagues, co-workers and friends. But he could also spend the weekend with his Storytelling Community in Amherst. We felt his presence in more ways than one all weekend.

If you were not as lucky as I . And have not met Laura Packer and her wonderful storytelling husband Kevin Brooks, you still can. Although Kevin has passed on to his next adventure he can be seen on Youtube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoizIQaRiBA
Even better you can buy his album at CD Baby:http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brookskevin
This, Kevin's first CD, is a collection of some of his earlier work. Kiss of Summer takes the listener through the warm sands and sunshine of summer, in all its forms; including the passion of the moment, the heat of beach, the exhilaration of a coaster, and the deep pounding rhythm of a train. 

He leaves behind one of the most devoted, compassionate, loving, supportive partners I have known other than my own. Please keep Laura Packer in your thoughts and prayers as she begins her journey through grief.
http://networkedblogs.com/Vt0Hh

As for Kevin I no longer worry about my friend. No doubt he is telling stories, and if you listen very carefully you can hear God Laughing.






Below is a short Story that Kevin told when he was a Judge for the MassMouth StorySlam "Dining Disasters." in 2009.






About: Your Maine Storytellers
 Willey Phinedit (Find-It)                Learnin' Vernon