Saying Good-bye to an Old Friend

 

Kurt Bailey

Art and Story by Michael Hooper

About 20 years ago, I saw this blind man walking up and down my street. Finally, one day I said hello to him and we became friends, sharing a love of music, The Wizard of Oz, and dogs.

His name was Kurt Bailey, he had become blind as a young child, but did not seem bitter about it, rather he adapted to his condition and found a way to live independently in his own house. 

Some people overlook people with disabilities; I knew one "Christian" couple who refused to give Kurt a ride home because they feared he would become dependent on them. How sad. If our yardstick for helping others is whether or not they become dependent on us, then we may never help anybody. I helped Kurt over the years, I’d given him rides, I fed him and we hung out together, but he never was dependent on me.

Indeed, we went on some adventures together, including one time when we got in my car and drove to a house where a man was selling well over 10,000 records. We had a blast going through the record collection and buying numerous records and then listening to them together. Old Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Seals & Crofts and the band Kansas. I told Kurt that I had seen the band Second Chapter of Acts when I was a young man in Montana in 1982, and he later found an album by this band and gave it to me. How wonderful, thank you Kurt.

Kurt Bailey contacted me recently because he was dying. We had a long and sad conversation. His kidneys were going, he was told he could go on dialysis or hospice, he chose hospice. This broke my heart, but it was his choice. We shared a few tears, knowing that we had shared many good times together, and that our time together was near its end.

Kurt was not self-loathing, he was able to see a greater world outside of himself despite his blindness. One time, on his own, he took a plane somewhere and attended A Wizard of Oz reunion and met several dwarfs who played the Munchkins in the movie. He talked about that for days, he was so grateful for his adventure. The Wizard of Oz is a deeply meaningful and inspiring movie, especially in Kansas.

When you see a person with disabilities, don’t just assume they’re going to become dependent on you just because you talk to them or help them. They might provide something to you that you might not have ever thought of before, Kurt's insights and compassion are intrinsic values that lie deep in my memory, they are values that are greater than money or possessions. 

Kurt used to take his guitar down to a pizza place and perform songs to the crowds there. He loved karaoke. He corresponded with people all over the world, using cassette pens. He loved the Lord and found peace in praying together with other believers.

Kurt lived with his dog, Snowball. Their companionship was real, they needed each other. He liked my dog Willy too, and they became friends.

A few years ago, I decided to paint Kurt’s portrait. He sat for me while I took some pictures and drew some sketches. I worked on this portrait for a long time, it shows his contemplative countenance, but Kurt was not an unhappy man, rather he was a generous and kind man who liked to laugh, listen to music and share stories.

Kurt died April 8, 2026 at age 59. He was a good soul and a great friend and I’m going to miss him. Rest in peace Kurt. I hope some day to reunite with you "somewhere over the rainbow, (where) skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true."