Kindred Spirit ~ Comprehending the Loss of a Friend

Dwayne Burno 

Dwayne Burno & Myself at SMOKE Jazz & Supper Club
New York City
October 2009

        

Yesterday, I received devastating news that my dear friend, kindred spirit, and Jazz Master, Dwayne Burno transitioned from this world. It was shocking & paralyzing news. There was no one like this human being. He spoke with raw honesty and incredible respect for humanity, passionate about the music he gave his life to, and a heart full of love for his wonderful wife and beautiful son. If you were lucky enough for Dwayne to call you his friend, you knew it was a lifetime thing, and he would fight to the death on your behalf and cuss out anyone who spoke ill of you or to you.  You never had to question that he would always be in your corner. And he was generous with his words of love and appreciation for the loved ones in his life. 

On my 35th birthday, I decided to take a bus trip to NYC (I'd been living in DC and never been to the Big Apple). So, I called Dwayne to let him know where I wanted to spend my birthday, and he just so happened to have a gig the weekend I would be in town. So I made the trip and enjoyed his gig at SMOKE Jazz & Supper Club, and at the stroke of midnight, the server brought me a dessert with a candle lit on top, compliments of Dwayne in honor of my special day. That's just how thoughtful he was. :)

Just this past Tuesday night, Christmas Eve 2013, we exchanged our Christmas wishes for each other and our families via instant messenger, and his final words to me were, "Love you too, CAT. Merry Christmas." I never ever doubted that he loved me. You know those kinds of friends. Dwayne was such. 

I told him once that I couldn't understand how I was so lucky to have been blessed by his friendship, and that I couldn't imagine my world without him. He was one of the precious ones. The tears that fall from my eyes at this very moment, will undoubtedly dry some day in the future, but tonight, my heart is broken. An angel has left my world. 

Rest in sweet peace, DB.  Much love, ALWAYS. 

***Friends of Dwayne's have put together a Fundly Campaign to provide financial support for Dwayne's wife Wendy and their son Quinn. For more information and/or to contribute support, please visit: www.fundly.com/our-friend-wendy-just-lost-her-husband-and-needs-help