January 26, 2008
When Russell was in high school, he wanted to join the band, and play the trumpet. We went to purchase his instrument, and he fell in love with a beautiful silver trumpet. This is the one he wanted, not the traditional one. Russell never asked for much, so we paid the down payment and financed the rest.
Russell would set and polish his trumpet often, and especially after a band performance. He would not touch his trumpet without his white gloves on. He always seemed to appreciate his personal things and took care of them.
When Russell moved to Baltimore in the year 2000, he left his trumpet at home. After he came back at Christmas of 2001, he took the trumpet back with him. He told us of a music conservatory near where he worked. He wanted to take some refresher courses, and strengthen his throat muscles and be able to play his trumpet again. Like I said before, when he got involved with this lifestyle, important things were let go of.
During the court case, we tried to get some of Russell’s belongings back, and the trumpet was one of them. We were concerned, we would never see it again. It should have been returned after Russell died, because it really belonged to us. We still have the papers where we bought it. After more than two years, it was finally brought back to us, at a mediation meeting in Baltimore.
The partner brought the trumpet case in, and slid it in between the couch and table in the Judge’s office, (and we will tell more about that later.) As soon as he sat down, he made this statement. “I don’t even know how to get into the thing.” We believe, he was trying to say that he could not open the case to cover up for the intentional damage to Russell’s trumpet and case.
After the unsuccessful mediation meeting, Lowell and I were rushed out, (for reasons we did not realize at the time, and we will discuss later) and as we were leaving, Lowell picked up the trumpet case without looking at it.
When we got outside of the court house, and saw what the case looked like, we were in shock! The case was ruined! The corners were rusted, and the top of the case looked like something had been setting on it and a big ring mark was left there.
The leather handle had several holes punched in it with a sharp instrument. The “King” name tag had been scraped with diagonal scratches many times. The case itself was nasty and looked as if it had been wet and dried. The inside of the case was even worse, the lining was velvet, and it was molded and mildewed. The trumpet was tarnished, the moving parts were rusted, and had been dented in many places. This made our hearts hurt so bad, because we know how much Russell loved this trumpet, and how hard we worked to get it. I wonder, if people don’t think they will have to pay for their actions on judgement day?
We took the trumpet to the music store and left it for the damage to be appraised. They gave us a written estimate of the damage, and how much it would take to have it restored. The damage was $470.00. There was no accountability for this act of destruction of property. More later about the only other things we got back.
Russell had a beautiful voice, and sang in the Maryville College Choir. He toured with them, and while on tour in South Carolina, he met one of his distant relatives. Russell’s name was on the program, so this man with his same last name, approached Russell after the concert. This man wanted to know if he was related.Russell was thrilled to tell his Dad about this, but forgot to get the man’s address and telephone number. Russell’s dad has been really humiliated by all of the slanderous things that have been put on the Internet, where all of his relatives can see them. When a relative types in the Groff name, all of these things come up about Russell and the homosexual lifestyle. The Groff name has been dragged through the mud, and this has all been, harassment in one of the worst ways.
When Russell was on tour in South Carolina, he got a copy of the tape made of the concert. He gave the master copy to us for safe keeping. We listen to it, and hear the solo part Russell sang in it. His voice is beautiful…………….
Mom and Dad
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Posted by: Carolyn
Categories:
Russell's Life