He was only 19 when he died! Mother, Father and I were painting the hallway in the Nyack Parsonage. At 11:45PM she felt a terrible pain in her side, and she and Dad headed to bed while I cleaned up.
It was 47 years ago, and a moment that changed our lives forever. He of the photographic mind, who could look at something, or listen to something and remember it forever. He was the Journal's Baby, and had just returned from his Sophomore year at Carson Newman. He left behind besides a family for which he was our older brother, but a young lady named Sharon, who was the love of his life.
Memory allows us to remember the awfulness of hearing the news, but also in remembering, we learn the lessons that David taught us. He wrote his last short story, dropping it by Agnes Hull's door as he left for vacation THE SHADOW which gave us understanding that God was with him, and us, in those final moments...We rushed to Newport, NY where we buried him in a quiet corner of the North Newport cemetery. Our lives were changed...
Little did we realize how far David's shadow went...or the faces he drew. He lived life, each day, to its fullest, despite the breathlessness of asthma. The twinkle in his eyes warmed many a heart...
and he was my childhood hero. People offered to help but I said "just be nearby, and share our sadness and tears." which unfortunately people aren't always willing or able to. David's death, and more importantly his living made me want to be a person, a minister, who was nearby to share their tears...This year is different - dad died in November...and yet I wrote a letter to my Mother and sent the red roses...so, it is the same...
Rest in peace David, and as Dad tells you about these 47 years, humor him, and make like you're listening...I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED YOU>>>
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Dad, I have barely entered into June...and was thinking of the 21st when I emailed earlier. But of course today is a very special day--a day of remembering David's life, his zest, his enthusiasm and energy. And of course his talent! At times I look at Kyra and Lucas and their incessant appetite for drawing--and it has just now occurred to me from whence this lineage comes. Father would be proud--Kyra the other day noticed an Edward Hopper book at school! So the energies that are part of the family continue, and we nourish the very best of them. May your memories today be of joy.
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