So after a month of not playing my trumpet, I have my first 3 gigs back. Started off with the East Lansing Summer Solstice Jazz Festival. It was an honor to play at it and played with some of my favorite people to play with. John Webber, Eric Law, Luke Sittard, Lisa Sung, and Elijah Cosby. For no rehearsal it went pretty well other than my sad playing! It was also so nice of my co workers to come out and support me! Saturday, I got to play with Lisa again and my friend Joe Oprea at a new sushi restaurant in Rockford and we had a great time and ate amazing food. Then on Sunday, got to play a Fathers day Concert up in Big Rapids with my college bud Ed Malett and his son Noah, Dave and Greg Wells, and Dominic and Alvin Waddles. A good time was had by all except I messed up West End Blues because I tried to read it. LOL More food followed!! The deer were at the gig too! 

When Byron found out about Talia, he texted me and said come out and hear some music and fellowship. Byron was one of the few concerts Talia went to see with me. He was so kind as always and dedicated a song to me "Look for the Silver Lining" which was again so kind. It was also great to hear one of my favorite pianists Mr. Bobby Floyd who I really would love to record with and it may happen. Also equally fun was seeing some other dear people in my life. One of my first trumpet teachers Mr. Greg Alley, one of my best friends Mike Hamann, and former student who was playing on the concert Aaron Good. I truly am blessed with so many beautiful people in my life!

I stayed in hospice with Talia just a little over a month. It was 5 miles from my house. So for an hour or two each day came home saw Mia, took a shower, and got right back. The place was filled with wildlife, peace, and amazing people. I will never forget my time and the love shown to me. As you can see of the picture of Mia by the door not wanting me to leave and wondering where Talia was. Anyone who knows my turkey story knows it was a little unsettling to be woken up by the turkeys each morning if I got to sleep! LOL I missed many events that I was looking forward to during this time but that is one thing I do not have any regrets about. If I only had a little time left with my wife, I wanted to spend every min. I could taking care of her. My birthday fell during this time and of course I did not feel like celebrating much this year, but as you can see, Chef Bev made me a great breakfast! I tried to get a picture with everyone but missed a few. I'll have to make sure I go back and get one with the ones I missed! The last ones are from a walk I took a few days later. 

I'm copying a couple of posts announcing Talia's passing and one after I received over 600 comments on Facebook. 

My sweet and courageous wife Talia, transitioned into the arms of Jesus in Heaven this morning, where I’m sure her earthly Daddy was also waiting. Talia was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in January of 2021. Being the private person she was, we only told a select amount of people. While we were trusting for healing on this side, her healing comes with her transition to Heaven. Despite my deep sense of loss of my soulmate, who I love beyond words, I’m comforted by theses verses:
Psalm 116:1 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.
2 Corinthians 5:8 8 We live with a joyful confidence, yet at the same time we take delight in the thought of leaving our bodies behind to be at home with the Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 amended “ Not even death can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight”
Per Talia’s wishes, we will not be doing any memorial service in MI. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Lansing, Stoneleigh Residence.
The love and support from so many throughout this journey has truly been overwhelming. As I’m able to grieve and process this season, I will write more on my website blog, but one of the things that I will remember most about this time is the unspeakable love shown to me! I’m embarrassingly rich with love and support! Thank you!
Love, Blessings, and Swing
Max

I truly don't know what to say to the outpouring of love shown to me today! I've always said I don't really invest money I invest in people and I guess I collected my interest today. On this truly life changing day for me with the transitioning of my wife, the love shown to me today, will support me forever. There are no words. I typically respond to all comments but just can't right now. Please know I read each and everyone and am overwhelmed by all your comments, calls, texts. My wife would be horrified getting this much attention! LOL Of course I don't really like it either. I'd much rather be the giver! All I can say is thanks and please enjoy these amazing times I had with Talia! It was important for me to do this today because that cancer made me forget some of these incredible moments I had with my wife. I'm blessed beyond measure. I'll post the Obituary when I get it done and anything else will be on my blog on my website. I have so many thank you's to give. Love, blessings, and swing y'all!

Essentially Ellington is always a special time. First because it's never guaranteed. But each group is different and it's always a dream realized. It was weird for me this year because I hadn't been out with the group much because of my home situation. But everyone made me feel part of the family and it was so good to see my friend Marc about as relaxed as he could be! This is always a family reunion getting to see all my mentors, heroes and friends. I went and saw my new friend Vanessa Rubin at Mezzro which I had not been to before. Caleb braved the weather with me which was pretty much awful the whole time. Although I did not get much physical rest, I got my emotional tank fueled up which was needed for what I had to face upon arriving home.