Don't get around much anymore

Harold Leach · Post by **Harold Leach** » 25 Apr 2003 1:03 pm

I have to appoligize to the many e-mails folks that have sent me an e-mail in the last
three weeks or so, as I'v been sick. I'm afraid friends that I have to say my days are at a minimum. I feel I have put up as big a fight as I did to learn to play the steel guitar, but the fight is over soon for me and I'm ready to go to a better home.
Thank you to all that I'v been forunate enough to have known, and do business with over the past. However all things have to come to an end. I did want to let you know while I still had the strengh to work this machine.
Take care, and please keep pedal steel guitar alive and well in this wonderfull world we are in. Thank you Harold Leach,
At Strings and Stripes.

Jesse Harris · Post by **Jesse Harris** » 25 Apr 2003 2:04 pm

I have never met you Harold but from your post and your website I can tell that your a kindred spirit, I am still in my twenties and I just wanted to let you know that I personally promise to do my very best to keep alive the traditions of the steel guitar and this wonderful community of musicians I have come to admire thru their music, and support thru this forum. And I hope you've got it all wrong about the number of days that are left for you.

sincerely
Jesse Harris[This message was edited by Jesse Harris on 25 April 2003 at 03:11 PM.]

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 25 Apr 2003 2:10 pm

Our prayers are with you Harold.

Leigh

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 25 Apr 2003 2:18 pm

At my age the thought has occasionally come to me that one day I would have to do what you are doing. I gave it some thought but as we humans are prone to do, I put it away for the time being.

I think you have shown me the way to do it with dignity and class. I have never had the chance to know you but I surely wish I had. You seem to think like I do. You also seem to be able to face it with a sense of good will towards others. I hope I can do it as well as you are. It's the least I could hope for.

There isn't much else a person could say except Godspeed and maybe we'll meet in the next place we go to.

Regards, Paul

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 25 Apr 2003 3:05 pm

my Prayers are with you too Harold

Lefty Schrage · Post by **Lefty Schrage** » 25 Apr 2003 3:40 pm

My prayers are with you too, Harold. You are a good role model for all of us. ...Lefty

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 25 Apr 2003 4:24 pm

Harold Leach- What Paul Graupp says is the way I feel too and says it all. God Bless...al

Michael Holland · Post by **Michael Holland** » 25 Apr 2003 5:38 pm

Thank you, Harold, for honouring us with this dignified and heart touching message. We share your love of our instrument and of our traditional music and we are all grateful to know that you are among our numbers and that we shall meet one fine day.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 26 Apr 2003 9:09 am

Harold Leach, a wonderful man and an honest businessman.

Pat Jenkins · Post by **Pat Jenkins** » 26 Apr 2003 9:59 am

Harold, truly an inspiration. Thank you for being with us. God Bless. Pat

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 26 Apr 2003 11:41 am

Godspeed Harold. It's an honor and a priviledge to have crossed paths with you..

tp

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 26 Apr 2003 11:53 am

My dear friend Harold..........you are a true inspiration to me, and I'm sure many others as well.

Accepting ones mortality and the inevitable is something each of us must do. It's clear you are at peace and I can only hope and pray that when my time comes that I can display the strength, resolve and faith you have so eloquently displayed.

You may be assured your kindness, honor, thoughtfullness and dignity had a positive impact on my life and I'm sure many others you have known. The contributions you have made to friends, family and acquaintances will be remembered and cherished by us all.

As we discussed on the phone a few months ago, you my dear friend have accomplished Gods mission and made many people happy, I being one. I ask that should you preceed me, that you save me a place, because in Gods time, all us believers will soon "take the next step" unto HIM.

God bless, and thanks again for all the wonderful memories.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 26 Apr 2003 12:20 pm

Harold, thank you for all you have done for our instrument in this part of the world. And thank you for finding the time and strength to post your message to us all. Keep up the fight!

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 26 Apr 2003 4:21 pm

Harold I am saddened to have just met you as you are saying goodbye to all thses friends. My bad luck. But you have said farewell so well I have no words beyond saying; I wish I had crossed your path sooner.

I hope that what days you have left are filled with peace and good memories.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 27 Apr 2003 4:41 am

Harold: Just the other day I heard a story about melodies that get stuck in your head and you find yourself unconsciously humming it over and over again. They had a name for the condition but I can't recall what it was.

The tune that's been stuck with me was in an interview I did with Neal McCoy and Glenn Shankle a few years ago in the PSGA newsletter. The title of the tune turns out to be the title for your thread here.

I thought that was an unusual coincidence. I thought you might like to know that,

Regards, Paul

James Brown · Post by **James Brown** » 27 Apr 2003 4:56 am

Harold,thanks for all the support and help over the past year,you are an inspiration.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 27 Apr 2003 5:40 am

Don't Get Around Much Any More
is the title of a classic jazz standard too. Harold, nice choice of thread title also! [This message was edited by David L. Donald on 27 April 2003 at 06:40 AM.]

Andy Zynda · Post by **Andy Zynda** » 27 Apr 2003 6:13 am

I dont know you and have never met you. This post was the first I've seen of you.
To face what you are facing, with the class and dignity that you have shown, well, I dont know exactly what to say but that I am very impressed with your strength of character.
My hat is off to to you, and I wish you a safe and happy journey.
-andy-

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 27 Apr 2003 6:33 am

Mr. Leach, and the Mr. is with the greatest of respect, you are now as you have always been "TOP SHELF" in this old Indian's books. The best to you, and I'm glad you're at peace with yourself and your destiny.

Fred & Pat

------------------
The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real

Chuck Lawson · Post by **Chuck Lawson** » 27 Apr 2003 8:51 am

Hi Harold,

It was a pleasure to know you, and to do business with you. You are one fine gentleman. I want you to know that I am praying for you - that God will be very real to you during this time and provide you and your family with comfort, strength and peace.
May God use you in a mighty way in the time you have left. You will be greatly missed.

Love in Christ
Chuck Lawson

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 27 Apr 2003 7:45 pm

Aloha Harold...I doubt you'll recall meeting me one day when I journied down your way as I traveled to Calgary so many years ago. You greeted me with enthusiasm and showed me around your shop so graciously. I was merely curious about this guy "Harold" so many had told me about. I was not disappointed. You are a real gentleman and it was indeed a great pleasure to meet with you ever so briefly that summer afternoon. Your courage is only matched by that of (the late) Billy Reid sr of Halifax who, knowing his time on earth was also limited, phoned all of his friends, including myself, to bade each a fond farewell. It must have been difficult for Billy as I am sure it must be you. Thank you for your great contribution to steel guitarists everywhere. May God cast His many blessings upon you and grant you His everlasting peace. Amen.