Holidays often bring mixed blessings to those of us who’ve been around awhile. The jingle bells marketing machine seeks to overwhelm us with “buy, buy, buy,” while our life experience often prompts us to say, “bye, bye, bye” to the holiday reminders of loss and disappointment that are a natural part of life.

I love much of the holiday cheer, especially the colors and the music. However, I lost two of my best friends in recent Decembers, and those memories can’t be easily relegated as I try to concentrate on grandchildren and many other blessings. I have so much for which to be thankful, but my heart and mind frequently drift to memories of Bob “Daddy-O” Wade and Lonnie Dillard…both known to many of you. Multi-faceted friendships that made a positive difference in my life. Enjoy these highlights…

BOB “DADDY-O” WADE

Bob was an internationally-recognized artist, raconteur, bon vivant and all-round good guy. His outdoor sculptures have been enjoyed by millions of folks. No, that’s no Texas exaggeration, when you count the giant frogs that were on I-35 between Austin and Dallas, and the Guinness World Record “Tallest Boots In The World” which still reside at the North Star Mall in San Antonio.

Bob loved his family, and his amazing wife Lisa and daughter Rachel “managed” Bob to the best of their abilities. This image captures the two lovebirds in front of one of his wonderful colorized paintings in Bob’s Austin studio.

The Wades loved all the trappings of the holidays, and their welcoming home was filled with food, decor, mischief and merriment for all to enjoy. This photo captures Annette and Bob in a festive moment.

I last saw Bob two days before he passed on December 23, 2019. His friend Kevin Williamson hosted a memorial celebration at Kevin’s popular Ranch 616, with the help of many adoring fans/friends of Bob’s. The Mayor’s Office asked me to write a proclamation that could be adapted to their official format. This is my effort, which I read at the event.

LONNIE DILLARD

Lonnie was a Texas Tech cheerleader. He came to Austin to become a Presbyterian minister and family counselor. But his too-early marriage failed, he lost confidence in his ability to counsel others, dropped out, and went to Europe to sort himself. After an extended stay, he came back to Austin and was found selling shoes in Yarings on Congress Avenue. A mutual friend, Jolynn Free, discovered him, called me and gave me the assignment of helping Lonnie to get settled into a more productive glide path.

He graduated to selling municipal bonds, later becoming a financial services manager with Temple Inland. He did well, but (like me) discovered he wasn’t a numbers guy, and wanted to realize his gifts as a writer. He traded his Mercedes for a yellow VW Bug convertible, sold his Rolex, cashed in his IRA, and moved to Santa Fe to “write his novel.”

In 1989, having lost our son to cancer, I joined Lonnie for two weeks of Santa Fe R&R. He introduced me to Canyon Road, Tesuque, El Farol, the Flea Market, Mojo Nixon and beef tartare at the Santa Cafe. Our hero had met his partner to be, the delightful Sandi Sain, right before his Santa Fe adventure, came back to join her in Austin, and launched decades of friends, travel and life experience.

Lonnie told me they were going to Paris and, as usual, I couldn’t leave well enough alone. I got our mutual friend, master chef, writer and Francophile Ann Clark to help me with the language, and I thoughtfully arranged for these T-shirts to complement their roles as good will ambassadors. His translates to “Do you speak English, Sumbitch?,” while hers queries “Come Here Often, Cowboy?” They wore them under jackets so they wouldn’t be arrested or assaulted, then briefly posed for this historic photo.

Lonnie and I wound up at Eeyore’s Birthday celebration sometime in the ‘80s. We’d just gotten off work, so hadn’t had time to change. He identified himself as Investment Banker Sylvester Greeber for the Austin Statesman reporter who eagerly interviewed this unique persona. Yes, he was carrying a trombone to complement his carefully curated outfit. He wore the fireman’s hat to protect his organ from sunburn. Yes, that’s Eeyore on top of my leather CU-Boulder hippie hat.

Lonnie passed on December 18, 2020. I was honored to be one of the eulogists.

I MISS BOB AND LONNIE

They were larger than life personalities, but so much more than that. They were thoughtful, generous and good friends to many. I witnessed countless occasions where they extended kindness to lots of folks…off the grid, out of the public eye. I figure I can best honor them and our friendship by emulating those behaviors.

WISHING YOU ALL A HEALTHY, HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON FILLED WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, FUN, GENEROSITY, KINDNESS, LOVE AND GRACE!