I’m especially glad today that daughter Milaka was able to
drive up to Don’s Anacosta memorial gathering.
Not only did she represent the family, she was the sole representative
of the years 1966 through 1999. She was
proud to go.
Yesterday was a gathering of family. Aunt’s, uncles, cousins, next door neighbors,
and all the childhood friends from his tight knit San Ysidro neighborhood met
in Old Town. His wife, who grew up next
door to Don was there with her grandkids.
Lots of folks spoke, tears were shed, laughter filled the room, and
memorabilia went around the tables.
His wife brought a picture frame filled with photographs
from his childhood. Another frame was
filled with images from his marriage through today. Missing were photos of the years from his
return from Vietnam through his wedding.
After everyone shared how much he was loved in his childhood, I stood up
and named those of us who had loved him during our thirty years of friendship:
Paul, Tom, Tim, Monica, Gene, DeAnna, Linda, Bobbie, Sandie, Tracy…and all
those other myriads of local friends whose names I cannot remember.
Margot, George and I were the sole representatives from
those long and colorful years.
His brother Lloyd spoke of those years but not
intimately. No one shared that he read
cards. A guru. Little was said about his painting except
that he was so tired of his Horizon Line series that he was experimenting. Depressed too. He did stay in touch with someone, said
Lloyd. He didn’t know who. His studio was above the recovery store, and
it was filled with jazz and art books.
Art everywhere.
We all had felt cut off
I came home yesterday feeling like I was filled with
lead. Heavy. Weighted down by not only the loss of a
unique friend, but the loss of all those other special friends scattered to the
winds of time.
If you love someone, stay in touch.
Sorry for your loss Mage. Absolutely stay in touch. I an just relearning that. Call, send a card, visit when you can. Life seems so fragile.
ReplyDeleteYes, fragile, but yet tenacious; a paradox.
ReplyDeleteMay your voicing thoughts about those special years and attributes of Don's life begin the healing process in your loss of a dear friend. May precious memories comfort.
ReplyDeleteI am, I am!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to lose those that touch us, the real friends that we went through the harder times with. Sorry for your loss but so glad he had such a nice service.
ReplyDeleteWhat an emotional roller coaster life is. I'm glad you had Don; sorry you've had to let him go.
ReplyDeleteOh Mage, I'm so very sorry for your loss. This is very hard.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about needing to cherish and stay in touch with our beautiful friends.
Mage:
ReplyDeleteOh my--I have for many years wished I could see you again! And now to find you because Don has passed, I am so sad, words can't describe it! I attempted to stay in touch with him but always felt shut out. And I wasn't sure if you still wanted to keep in touch with me. I know Will posted already so you know where we are. Let's try again?
Monica