Wine 2.0 and WITS friend and family member, Abdi Humphries - Services on Monday in Napa...

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Comment by Clay Wallin on October 5, 2009 at 10:30pm

I love this Neil Young song and have always been moved by it. Abdi was a true gentleman. He could have been a contender and will be missed.

Comment by Cornelius Geary on October 5, 2009 at 8:48pm

Abdi - You are missed.

CTG

Comment by Paul Mabray on October 5, 2009 at 8:45pm

Smoke - Great tribute and moving to Abdi.

Abdi - long my you run, long may you run . . .

Comment by Smoke on October 5, 2009 at 8:20pm

My remarks at today's service

Long May You Run Abdi


A Brief Tribute to Abdi Humphries by J. Smoke Wallin
Napa, CA October 5, 2009
In the words of Neil Young -
“Maybe the Beach Boys have got you now,
with those waves singing Caroline
rolling down that empty ocean road
getting to the surf on time

Long may you run, long may you run
Although these changes have come
With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run”

When I began to think about what I could say

I thought about the times we spent together… the stories.
Stories of Abdi when we first met
Stories of Abdi as we worked together
Stories of Abdi as we played together

All these times together - In Napa, In SF, In Miami, In NY, In Indy…

Everything came back to the senselessness and sadness of this… Abdi was a sweet and genuine young man. HE was a go-getter and saved our asses on at least a couple of occasions. HE was fun loving and lived each moment I experienced with him to the fullest.

I think about our Bodega Bay retreat. Abdi carving up a giant tuna for sushi dinner. Abdi and Jeff going for a night swim in the freezing shark infested water at 3am. Crazy came to mind at the time. But crazy in a good way. Crazy about living life and enjoying it.

Hanging out at Lesley’s house, running out of firewood and Abdi and Con on a mission to find wood in downtown Napa at 1am, all caught on the flip video. I think we burned furniture that night.

Or when we did Wine 2.0 Miami for 2000 YPO people. Abdi decided to go for a night swim (yes there is a pattern here). But this was South Beach… someone stole Abdi’s shorts with his wallet and iphone and money. HE was a bit bewildered that this could occur. May we all be a bit bewildered when bad things happen. Abdi recovered, but we all had some laughs about it.

WE spent Monday’s evening, exactly two weeks ago today with Abdi at Lesley’s. We finished watching the Colts take out the Dolphins (sorry Clay) and I got Thai food for about 12 heated it up and 6 of us proceeded to chow down first with Singha beers and then with aged cabernets. Abdi sat to my right, Paul, Clay, Lesley, and Anitra all sat around laughing and telling stories into the night.

Abdi touched everyone who knew him. In his short time on this earth, Abdi lived a full life. We know he knew he was loved and respected by so many of you here today. Everyone in the Wine 2.0 and WITS communities are better for having known him for ever too short of a time. May we all remember the good times and the sparkle in his eyes as we go out to our lives after Abdi. I for one will always keep perspective in good times and bad and will honor Abdi by carrying his spirit with me until the end.

“Long may you run, long may you run
Although these changes have come
With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run” Abdi

Comment by Joe Roberts on October 4, 2009 at 5:30pm

I was saddened to hear the news. My thoughts are with you all during this time!