DOM

26/9/1983 - 31/3/2014

Domenic my shy, gentle, compassionate and tender hearted son, was an individual, a non conformist, who had his own unique off centre style.  He saw the world differently to most and was often overwhelmed by the brutality of the everyday and had little time or understanding for what drives most people.  Success in the traditional sense was not something he sought.  He was not interested in the superficial and often surprised me with the way he could see through the layers of crap to the very core or essence of what is real.

He was a giver, never a taker, he would give to strangers in the street readily, freely, happily. From his very first job until the day he died he paid a direct debit from his bank account into to a children’s charity, he has done this continuously for all his working life.  Even though he himself often struggled financially he always made sure he had enough money aside for that.  He never needed possessions and lived with the barest minimum. 

Music however was the one thing he could not live without and it was his partner in life.  From a very young age I realised that music captivated Dom’s heart, his father and I encouraged him in pursuit of this love, this connectedness he felt with music and it was probably the greatest gift we ever gave him. As a teenager the guitar was grafted to his body from the moment he rose in the morn till the last thing at night, I think he even played it in bed, his fingers constantly strummed and plucked at the strings. I remember every conversation I had with him during this period came with it’s own soundtrack. 

Dom probably did not realise just how much he inspired and introduced others around him to the joy of music. I know many were directly influenced by Dom’s feverish and relentless drive that he had to not just play the music but to truly feel it.  

I remember him telling me how some music physically made him shiver and brought him to tears…at that stage he was obsessing about the Dirty Three and as family and friends know it usually was one particular musician or group that he would play over and over and over again, until his appetite for them was eventually sated and he could let them go for a while and delve body and soul into another.  He always pursued music with such an intensity and fervour, searching relentlessly for the sound that could shoot the breeze with his spirit.  

When he was in the throes of this conversation, especially on stage, he was absolutely captivating to watch, it was the only space I think he felt truly connected.

Deep down I think I always knew this day would come, I feel it was always in the air.  I visited Dom in Melbourne just before xmas last year, we had a gentle reconnection after sometime apart, I feel so blessed to have had this time with him and this recent memory lightens my heavy heart. I knew that trip was meant to happen, it all fell perfectly in to place and I can see so clearly now that even though intellectually it did not register at the time, I do feel both our spirits knew it was the last time we would see each other and it was our goodbye.  

Dec 2013

I am not sad that Dom has chosen to leave his skin at this point in time, I was so sad before, when I knew that he struggled so to find his peace...but I am not sad anymore. Of course I will miss deeply my gentle giant but I am happy in the knowledge that he has finally found his home, he is free of the internal torments that made it all so hard for him, he is at peace. 

Our Dom is now singing, playing his guitar with his eyes shut and the side of his head glued to his shoulder,  he’s finally found the music, found the sound that makes his soul dance and I believe he is dancing…finally dancing with joy.

Bye my sweet love until we meet again when I finally get to go home too!

Freedom Blues - lyrics, acoustic guitar and vocals - Dom Di Blasio

Happy Birthday Dom the Bomb!

27 years ago today Australia won the America's Cup. I remember this date clearly as I was in hospital giving birth to my eldest son and everyone from nurses and doctors to orderlies, cleaners and volunteers were all a buzz with talk about the race...however it was the last thing on my mind!

 

Writing these birthday blogs has allowed me to reflect on just how individual each of my children are.  They all are creative and musical but it is amazing how they all approach there lives quite differently.

                                      Father and Son                     Grandfather and Grandson (the two Doms)

Dom is my gentle giant, a very caring soul who would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it.  He is very empathetic and respects people from all walks of life, he has great emotional intelligence which often is missing from men twice his age. He speaks what comes immediate to mind, he tells it like it is and you know he is always telling you the truth and how he honestly feels.  As a child he was always ready to have a 'deep and meaningful' so much so that we nicknamed him 'Dom have a chat'.

           

Dom with new born brother Jesse

 He is also my thinker,

 who likes to watch quietly on the sidelines, 

 (Dom quietly musing to himself about his sisters antics)

Very early on music became very important to Dom,  he would become entranced with certain rhythms and beats and stop in mid action if he heard music.

Happiest when he is listening to music.

 Dom during a classical music exam

Dom's nature is open, what you see is what you get, when he is happy his joy is exuberent.

Excited for the very first day of school (although this pretty much only lasted for that one day)

he has always found joy in simple pleasures

Dom does not expect to be given things, even today on his birthday,  and he did not dream he would get this bike for Christmas one year, I remember he was so surprised he could hardly contain himself.

Throughout the teenage years the more quiet and melancholic Dom emerged.

Dom is certainly an individual and in his own words "you are you and I will go my own way" 

 

From teenage years and pretty much still today, the guitar is an extra appendage attached to his body.  When Dom spoke to you he was always strumming the guitar in the background, for many years it felt like we were living in a musical, our lives definitely had a continuous soundtrack. To broaden his music horizons a couple of years ago Dom moved to Melbourne, I admire his ability at such a young age to pursue what is important to his inner essence, something I am only just discovering how to do.

 

 Although quite a shy young man Dom becomes a different person on stage...and then it is just all about the music.  

I always find Dom's take on various situations refreshing, he always has an unexpected view that often stops me in my tracks and makes me think twice about the things that are really important in life, he has the ability to hone in on the essential issues, discarding the trivial to form his view.

Dom It was great catching up with you last week in Melbourne, I miss you already.  Happy birthday and enjoy your day!  I will Skype you soon.