It is so difficult, during times of loss and grief, for me to express myself. Yet, I am compelled to do so because, very simply, I loved Smitty very much.

From the day I met him, he was one of those special people who brought joy and humor and kindness to the table and left his ego far behind. He was an enormous boost to the band’s morale, during the toughest times ...and was missed terribly when he left to pursue other endeavors.

It’s so very hard to believe that the one who was always the “ youngest at heart “ is now the first member of the group to leave us !

In his constant search and hopes for a better world, if Hawaii proved to be “ Paradise Lost “, I want to believe that he now has found his true paradise, and resides there, finally finding happiness and at peace in his new home.

I don’t grieve for Smitty, I grieve for myself, as do all of us who are missing him in our lives. My heart goes out especially to his family.

I have so many more thoughts and memories of Smitty that I will share with you soon.

This artwork was made by Jaime Hitchcock (SmittyGirl). She has a web page dedicated to her favorite Raider at http://www.geocities.com/smittygirl76

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