15-Jan-08 9:00 PM CST

Tribute to Walter Stauble

Tribute to Walter Stauble
by John “Loveable Snake” Slaby

Nine years ago I took a big step on my journey to being a better man and signed up for a men’s weekend. There I met many men on a similar journey. One man on this same path wore his scars both outside and in. And so Walter came into my life.

Over the years, on and off, we traveled this path together. We traveled this path to learn to love ourselves so that we could give love unconditionally, accept ourselves and mirror harmony to create the world we wanted.

Many times I carried him and gave him what gifts I could. Many times he carried me and gave me gifts of love, patience, honesty and self-discovery. He taught me many things by the example of his own actions: perseverance, forgiveness, acceptance. Walter was one of the most important people on my path and a key person in my personal growth. He helped me open my heart and live a life based on the love and joy that I wanted. He was a pillar I could count on for support without fear of judgment. A man I could trust. A man I could call at any hour for help.

He brought many gifts to our circle and touched the lives of many men in our community.

Walter generously opened his home to us, giving us a place to meet to help us on our journey. For years we met at his home and watched the development of the house he loved so much. We watched as he created the home he wanted. Sometimes the group would help, one night even helping to put up drywall. Progress was slow, and it seemed the project would never end. Not unlike the work that we did on ourselves.

As a gifted physical therapist, Walter would often help the men in our circle who were in physical pain. It was clear to me that he enjoyed helping others and had a gift for this work. When I injured myself, Walter helped me in my recovery. A perfect mirror of our spiritual life.

For Walter, his involvement was centered on becoming a better father for his children. As we began our meetings, he would always call in the spirit and energy of his children to help guide his work. Every act, every word, every thought had this in mind: how will this affect my girls? What will this teach my son? So he avoided anger and shaming, and lived in love and patience as best he could—as best as any imperfect man could. This he did despite the terrible suffering that he had to endure over the last three years, a suffering undeserved.

To know Walter was to know a talented musician, a creative composer and a natural performer. So many times I recall his excitement when he created a new piece; and his sadness when his back pain kept him from the piano.

Kevin “Peaceful Mountain Lion” O’Neal put it beautifully: “Walter was a man with a gift for relating to anyone he contacted on an intimate level; even those with opposing views. His passion and gift of music; I think, grounded his ability to connect one on one. Standing Stag is now on the other side; watching over me. I can see that Cheshire grin and the twinkle in his eye.”

Recently, I had the privilege of recording his music in my home so that others could hear his art. The critiques he received were the positive affirmations that I knew he deserved. He was filled with excitement at the possibilities that this raised and was inspired to create more music.

I am filled with anger and sadness at this sudden and unexpected loss; fearful of my own mortality and those I love, perplexed by the irony of his death working on the home that he loved so much. I am sad for the unwritten music I will never get to hear and grateful for the music I have.

The gifts that Walter has given to me and our community will live on, his memory will remain, and his presence will always be felt. Now, to guide us on our journey, when our circle is formed, we will call on the spirit and energy of Walter Stauble, Standing Stag.

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Source: John “Loveable Snake” Slaby
http://www.mkphouston.org