Monday, August 13, 2007

Another Entry to D..

I have a very short entry to the letter D.
When I was an eighth grader, my beloved brother left Hawaii to go to school in California. I was bereft, I was in mourning, I couldn't imagine life without him.
My sister had been gone for several years...I was alone and I didn't know what I was going to do without my brother whom I adored. Enter a cousin whom I had never met.
Dan was the son of one of my Daddy's favorite cousins. He had survived horrendous things during the war in Korea. For some reason, he came to live with us. He had been a graduate of Stanford and, I think, just needed a place to be and call home.
He was my savior. He gently guided me through algebra, through geometry...he was my substitute brother, he was the one that allowed me to be silly and outrageous. He called me Bubbles, which I loved, because it affirmed and granted me the chance to be silly..to be, in my limited way, wild.
He still lives in Hawaii. He has Alzheimer's now. I will forever be thankful for him, I will forever love him and remember with joy how he helped me through such hard times. I will forever think of him and will probably be angry and unaccepting that he and his family are having to deal with this terrible disease. I love you Dan and I will always thank you for what you did for me.

4 comments:

Sarah said...

Ellen, thanks for sharing such a personal story. It makes me think of all the special people that have touched me in my life.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog and make a comment. I hope you keep stopping by! I'm really enjoying reading your blog as well.

marylou said...

There is nothing I can say...I know, you can't believe it. Me, Marylou...quiet??? Well, this post is so lovely I am saving my silly comments for another day:) What a beautiful story E...Dan must be a fine gentleman and I hope God helps him on his journey.
Hugs dear friend, Marylou

Marti said...

What a lovely tribute. You share such personal stories in such a way as to include us all.

Thanks for the comments regarding my kitchen. It's been a real hoot, and such a great learning experience. I hope to get a great deal of enjoyment out of it before we have to move on.

a Bohemian Market said...

Hi Ellen:
I just came home from a visit to Oahu and found you from Marylou's blog. How poignant about Dan; my Mom (she is 99) is in dementia/Alzheimer's too. He sounds like a very kind, gentle, thoughtful and caring man. You were lucky he came into your life at just the right time!!!
Thank you for sharing
carole