Rememberances from Others

This was published in the Houston Chronicle by a group of his fans:

"A Tribute to Charlie" "Today we must say farewell to you. You had the magical ability with your wonderful talent to always make us smile, laugh and even sometimes cry. The ability to make us forget. To make us feel so special as though we were all separate stars of the night. You had the ability to turn a piano bar into the greatest concert ever heard in the world. The years you gave us were truly special. We just always thought it would never be ending in our Camelot we all enjoy. Your special smile, your twinkling eyes and the magic you did with the Ivory Keys will always, always be forever in our hearts. We love you Charlie Bill Tilson. Thank you for bringing such moments of joy, thank you for being in our lives. With thoughts and love, The Woodlands Friends.

Charlie at The Park in Woodlands, Texas



And some quotes from his lead oncologist, Fadlo R. Khuri, from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in a letter sent to Sally after Charlie's passing:

"I am enormously sorry for your loss, but am confident that when the time came, Charlie handled his impending departure with his customarily uncanny grace...

I was enormously privileged to have the opportunity to care for Charlie, who was a truly warm and remarkable individual. At this of great loss for you, I think of no more appropriate words to offer you than the words of one great poet who eulogized another when he said, and I believe that this applies perfectly to Charlie, "You in our wonder and astonishment have built yourself a living monument....

We at M.D. Anderson realize that we are often fighting a steep uphill battle. It is a privilege to fight it alongside individuals such as yourself and Charlie that make it not only worthwhile but also a very real honor. It is safe to say that I will never forget neither you nor Charlie. Again, please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of the wonderful man that was Charlie Tilson"

Charlie with Elizabeth, a friend made online in a cancer support group, who came to Houston to seek care from M.D. Anderson. We had so many online cancer friends. It was an amazing experience to meet a few of them in person.

Charlie and Cindy LeNoir in our hliving room, June 1998. At this time, we had made the decision to utilize Hospice services. Charlie was adamant that he wanted to remain in our home

Jon Pulling, a dear friend, ministered to Charlie at our home and also delivered a eulogy at the Celebration of Life at Unity Church, September 6. I am excerpting it here:

"...Along with his zest for life and boundless energy, Charlie was a very rich man. (After seeing all those hospital bills, I know Sally will be relieved to hear that!). No, I'm not talking about riches measured in dollars and cents. I am talking about the things that are priceless: the love, admiration, and friendship of so many people, including those of you in this audience today, and those that could not be here. Charlie has many friends before his illness was diagnosed. And those friends really came to bat for him, or should I say, Sit In For Him, when he could not continue his musical engagements. Let me tell you, you have honored Charlie and you have honored yourself by your selfless acts of kindness...

Elizabeth Kubler Ross, a noted physician and psychiatrist...wrote "People are like satin-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within"

My wife and I had gone to see Charlie at his home right after the decision to stop treatment for the cancer. This was a very difficult time for us because we all knew, including Charlie, that this would be the last time we would be together. Charlie had told Sally that morning it was time to go to church, so when we arrived, I suggested we have a prayer service with the emphasis on ministering to a sick person, namely Charlie. As I began, I was overcome with emotion but gained control and continued. There is a point in the service where I would lay my hands upon Charlie's head and offer a prayer. I was doing good until I placed my hands on Charlie's head and started the prayer. In the serenity of the moment, my emotions got the better of me. But it was at that same moment, while my hand was on Charlie's head, sobbing and trying to say the prayer, that Charlie looked up at me and without a word, put his hand upon my arm as if to say, "It's all right, I am here with you.". How's that for a switch? I am supposed to be consoling him and he winds up consoling me. In the darkness of that moment, the light from within Charlie shone brightly upon all of us.

I could go on and on with the memories I have and will treasure forever, You have many memories of your own. I would ask that you keep those memories alive. Remember Charlie. Talk about him. Relive your experiences of him. He already has eternal life in heaven. You can give him eternal life on earth. Talk to Sally about Charlie. Talk to his family. Please don't think it will hurt them more by talking about him. They are already in terrible pain over the loss of this wonderful husband, son, brother. How could you make them hurt any more by saying something nice.

There is a poem by Constance Johnson I found on the Internet that deals with the loss of a pet that addresses this beautifully. That may seem strange to some of you, but love of pets is something Charlie, Sally, Nancy and I share. So knowing Charlie's love for Dizzy and Spencer, his dogs, it seems fitting to me to close with this:

Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight

I am at peace, my soul's at rest
There is no need for tears
For with your love I was blessed
For all those many years

There is no pain, I suffer not
The fear now all is gone
Put now these things out of your thoughts
In your memory I live on

Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death
But celebrate my life