Candy was a very dear friend to my mom (Paula).  They went to high school together in Lawton, Oklahoma and eventually both moved to Austin.  Growing up in San Marcos, only 30 minutes away, I saw Candy often throughout my youth.  We would often talk about her dogs, books (she was always reading something!), or other things.  She was always so easy to talk to, and her wit was fantastic.  I remember one time while I was in high school; me, my mom, and Candy were walking across the parking lot into Central Market.  I was walking between the two of them looking back and forth as they made me laugh.  They were always so funny together.  Candy brought the world much joy through her laughter and sense of humor. 

While I was in Denton, at the University of North Texas, my mom would drive up to see my concerts and Candy would often come with her.  It always made me so happy to have Candy there and to be reminded that there were people in the audience who loved and cared about me.  I think Candy has seen me perform more than any of my relatives! 

I have been so blessed in my life to have so many positive maternal figures, and Candy was one of them.  Candy was unable to have children, other than her beautiful puppies of course, but I like to think that she was one of my surrogate mothers.  Often when she and my mom would be catching up, Candy would ask, "How's our boy doing?" 

I wish that I had been able to see her and give her a big hug one last time before she passed.  But instead, I will always think of her when I listen to the Albert King record she got me, remember her laughter, and smile. 

Candy, thank you so very much for being such a loving friend to me, and especially to my mom.  You will be dearly missed. 

Love,

Your boy,

Michael

If I knew

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
That I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say our "I love you's,"
And certainly there is another chance
to say our "Anything I can do's"?

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
 why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and if you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
 and whisper in their ear,
that you love them very much
and you'll always hold them dear.

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay," 
And if tomorrow never comes
you'll have no regrets about today.

Candy, we love you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    
                                


                          

Paula Carroll introduced me to Candy, her dear friend, in 1975. They were amazing together. So clever and so witty. We were all very young and so excited about our little South Austin neighborhood. None of us had very much money but our apartments were full of fun and friends, pets and garage sale items. We shared houseplants, recipes and wonderful stories. We played at Barton Springs and tore up South Austin. The music was terrific! I can still see Candy standing right there in the lobby of the Paramount Theater on the night of a big roadshow looking just fetching! She could always knock it out of the park!  Rest well my dear, sweet friend. Always your friend. Carl