In Memory Sydney Kirkness
Our family suffered the pain of losing our brother in law Sydney.
A very talented artist, Sydney's work will be appreciated for years to come. I'm sure there is more than enough works to put togther an exhibition in the near future.
Roz scanned one of his works from a t-shirt he gave me - I'm posting it below. What I will remember most about Sydney is his talent but he was also a strong family man, and he did most of all the cooking for everyone - how rare is that, eh? I remember also attending college with him for a year - my friends would ask, "Who's the old guy?" I would tell them that's my brother in law, that's Syd. We'll miss you.
An Artist's Farewell
brother sleep well
thank you Creator
for the time he gave you
to spend with us
we will meet once again
this is for certain and until then
we can look at a painting
at a drawing
and we will look through
your eyes one more time brother
with your smile
with your laugh
we will not forget you
brother
sleep
well
9/2/1950 - 7/26/2010
lovely....and he will be missed....
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i remembered your guy's website.lol
that's a wonderful blog uncle..he will be deeply missed.
i had a dream not to long ago. i was sitting wit people at a table, and i happened to turn my head and there he was.(sydney)...standing there in his blue dress shirt& his hair the same nicely combed back..lol but in my dream its like i was the only one who can see him..i notted my head to let him know i can see him. and he smiled. then i said uncle u know i miss you and love you then he notted back.. den i woke up...lol i just love dreams like that...u know u can let them know how much u have loved them and appreciated the time we as a family spend with them...memories..will always be cherished.
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That is a beautiful picture of my cousin.
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Thanks Peggy...and thanks for stopping by.
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i remember the time where i asked him to paint a picture of my late father-in-law Cecil Asmus, it took him forever to make it. i phoned almost everyday, i knew he was getting fed up of me calling everyday. so he told me "Gloria i will call you once i'm finished!" so one day, he called; "i'm done!" so i went over there, and told him i was sick, he told me to go outside and wait! lol, that guy was so cautious of catching a cold! but that picture he made was perfect! he will be missed by everyone that he knew!
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Gloria,
Just saw this, sorry, it was hiding...thanks for the comment....uncle.
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I met Sydney on a visit to Fisher River about ten years ago, amazed at how fast time goes by. I was invited to visit the Reservation for economic development. The hospitality of the leadership and the community was memorable from the drum ceremony, sweet grass, prayers and the presentaion of a gift to me, which I was told symbolized a reminder to return. I felt personally it was an obligation. Though much time has passed I never forgot the visit. I have tried over the years to find a company to bring back to the reservation that I though would be suitable and with a plan that hopefully would be acceptable to the leadership and people of Fisher River First Nation. I was putting together a group to travel to Fisher River this summer. When looked up Sydney Kirkness hoping too let him know that I would be returning and hoping to see him I was hurt to find that he has passed on. Though my meeting with Sydney was brief it was very meaningful, for you see the gift that was given was a painting done by Sydney and hangs in my office as a reminder of my obligation to return. Sydney may your spirit travel in peace and perhaps the painting was a premonition that we will meet another time and place. To those who were close to Sydney I offer my prayers and know you will cherish the memories.
A final note to his brother in law I do not consider Sydney an "old guy" he is younger than me.
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On behalf of Syd's family, we thank you for sharing your memories and kind words. It's still hard to believe he's not here with us. We all love and miss him. BTW - we were college kids back then and to us, Syd was "old", so you must be old too. LOL - (laugh out loud)
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