Talking with dozens – nay, hundreds – of old friends, distant acquaintances and strangers over so many years, I’ve filled this weekly space allotment with (hopefully) poignant, compelling tales of our Greater Nashua friends and neighbors.

It has opened a lot of doors and taught me a whole bunch of things along the way.

One of the most common lessons that keeps repeating itself is the notion that human heartbreak, loss, sadness or tragedy is almost always followed by a swift, warm and gracious outpouring of offers of “Anything I can do, just let me know.”

I remember often thinking, as I stared at the screen searching for the words to tell their story, “Jeez, what a bad break. … Glad he/she/they have so many people around offering to help.” And, “Can’t imagine what it’s like.”

Well, with the passing of my wife, now I know.

I know firsthand, up close and personal, how utterly invaluable those offers turn out to be. I now know there aren’t nearly enough synonyms for “Thank you.” And I now know there’s no easy way to put into words even the smallest gestures of kindness, from those simple reach-outs to say “I’m here” to expressions of caring that take the form of emotional and financial support and, of course, yummy sustenance that seems to taste extra good on those quiet, reflective evenings.

So on behalf of my extended family, thank you all, from the bottom of our collective hearts.

And how appropriate that my little personal aside sets up the ideal segue into this week’s essay.

Back on a frigid January morning, longtime Nashuans Brian (you know him as “Brink”) and Bonnie Gamache suffered a huge personal loss – not of a family member, mercifully, but of their historic Mont Vernon home of more than 20 years.

As the days passed and the Gamaches ran breathlessly from here to there and back again to set up some kind of an acceptable temporary living situation, their legion of pals back here in Nashua got to thinking that the family could sure use a little boost right about now.

And wouldn’t you know, out of those brainstorming sessions came perhaps the most wonderful idea any baby boomer Nashuan could imagine: a full-fledged reunion of our favorite band of all time, Aces & Eights.

“We’ve been good friends for many, many years,” Brink Gamache said of Aces. “I guess they’ll be picking up right where they left off.”

Quite true, for these guys can spin off into their own projects, like The JiveKats, featuring Aces originals Dave “Mojive” West and drummer Dirt Munson, and The Distractions, three-quarters Aces with Jim Hinkle, Roger Haas and lead singer Buddy Bernard.

Haas’ brother, Rick, another Aces mainstay who moved south awhile ago, said he’s coming back up for the gig.

Meanwhile, it’s steady as she goes for the Gamaches.

“We’re hanging in there,” Brian Gamache said this week. “We had a meeting with our contractor; we’re looking at some preliminary drawings.”

“I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. Since the fire, so much has been happening at once.”

But what the Gamaches will never say, not even think, is “Why us?” They remember all too well how close they came to losing a lot more than their house.

If they weren’t super-early risers, Mont Vernon Fire Chief Jay Wilson told them in January, it’s possible they and their adult son wouldn’t even be around to talk about it.

Which is why today, they feel only gratitude as they look back at how much worse things could have turned out.

“It’s heartbreaking to see, but we didn’t lose anything that can’t be replaced,” Bonnie Gamache said at the time. The important things –
ourselves and our dogs – were saved.”

As for the Aces reunion/Gamache fundraiser, the information box has the details, but when you look, you’ll see something new: an opening act, featuring cousins John Latvis and Trent Larrabee, who call themselves Something-Something.

They’re young guys who’ve jammed with Aces before; regulars might remember a Peddler’s Daughter gig some time ago, and I think they were around for an Alpine Grove Aces gig, too.

Steve Latvis, John Latvis’ father and the Aces’ de facto publicist, is calling the event “Time to Help Brink & Bonnie.” Raffles are planned; all proceeds from that and the gate receipts will go to helping the Gamaches endure the grueling process of day-to-day life as they rebuild.

Dean Shalhoup’s column appears Saturdays in The Telegraph. He can be reached at 594-6443 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow Shalhoup on Twitter (@Telegraph_DeanS).