A quick follow-up on
yesterday’s story.
Kurt was part of a dinner party we had over the holidays. That moving story got retold at the table. My boys were hearing it for the first time, and the tale produced wild gales of laughter. Then Kurt said he recently learned Marc had died. He wasn’t sure of the circumstances but did share a few memories about him.
Marc collected music back in the vinyl, CD, and tape days. He approached this hobby with a professional seriousness. For bands that interested him, he worked to collect everything from them, including obscure recordings and international exports. Then, after some period of time, he would bring the entire collection into the shop Kurt worked at to trade it in. Kurt, a collector himself, would study the bounty and question Marc’s decision, explaining this trade-in would come at a substantial financial loss to Marc. Marc would wave it off, saying he wasn't interested in them anymore and was moving on to a new band. He'd leave the box with Kurt to be valued. He would then build a new collection by a new artist, and in time approach Kurt's counter with an overflowing box and the cycle would repeat itself.
Another thing Kurt remembered about Marc was when he young, like most kids his age, he was obsessed with everything Star Wars. When new movies were released, Marc's mother would take him to the show. Then on the drive home while they excitedly talked about the film and traded their favorite scenes, his mother would say, “Marc, you should check beneath your seat.” And with wide eyes he would fall into the footwell (this being back in the seatbelt optional days), dart his small hand in to the dark space and come out with an action figure or two from this latest film. Kurt commented on how thoughtful and kind he thought that was of Marc's mother. Fully impossible not to agree.
Rest in peace Marc. You were an interesting (and helpful) soul. I hope you have all the clean urine you require and music and action figures you desire in your new/next home.
