Jan Etchison, “Jacob,” presenting me with my dreamcoat.

Way way back many centuries ago
Not long after the Bible began
Jacob lived in the land of Canaan
A fine example of a family man
Jacob. Jacob and sons
Depended on farming to earn their keep
Jacob. Jacob and sons
Spent all of his days in the fields with sheep
Jacob was the founder of a whole new nation
Thanks to the number of children he had
He was also known as Israel, but most of the time
His sons and his wives used to call him Dad

I was fortunate to be a son of Jacob a number of times, but never did I adore a Jacob for a stage-dad as I did the incomparable Jan Etchison.

This afternoon, Jan, forever “Jacob” in my heart, slipped away from this life.

In a short amount of time, we formed an endearing bond, and since 1986, we affectionately referred to one another as “Dad” or “Joe.”

The world seems a bit empty, this evening, knowing Jan is no longer with us, but, oh, how technicolorfully bright heaven must be, tonight.

Thank you, Jan, and Godspeed!  I am honored to have been one of your stage sons.  Know you are loved…

May I return to the beginning,
The light is dimming, and the dream is too.
The world and I, we are still waiting
Still hesitating
Any dream will do.