Memories
Denise,
I am sad to hear of Don Sr’s passing. He would always send a note after getting the Christmas card from us and we really enjoyed that. Thank you for letting us know and that he stayed who he was till the end.
I wanted to tell you a story which you probably do not know. It is the photo included here. It is from October 2003 when I visited my mother in New Orleans and Don Jr offered to cook up a shrimp boil in the yard. It had been a few years since I had seen your parents and the Boyz were 4 ½ and their first time meeting your parents. Both your mom and dad were just astounded to see the 3 boys running around, eating a new dish, and just enjoying themselves. Christine, my wife and Jan, my aunt were also with us so a nice gang enjoying a warm afternoon.
Your parents were always very kind to me even when Don Jr and I were getting into trouble. Your dad would always holler after me when I entered the house to “take that cap off!”. He was right and I still do to this day. I have very fond memories of them as I knew them from the age of 8-18. Meeting them again in 2003 and bringing my large family was special for all of us. After the food had partially been eaten (small kids didn’t know much about peeling shrimp then but learned later) your parents had the idea to go into the garage-turned-bedroom and pull out a Disney film. That’s the photo I took. Jonny is seated on your mother’s lap and Philip and Tim (furthest away) next to your Dad. All 5 watched the whole film while the adults sat in the garden talking. It was a wonderful afternoon and one we all here remember well. When I showed the family here this picture after we got your card, they all immediately remembered the day, what they ate and sitting with your parents watch a film together.
Thank you again for writing and letting me know about his passing. When I read your note, I immediately remembered the shrimp boil but wasn’t sure if there were any photos from it. There was only this one with your parents in it. They didn’t know I took it as they were all consumed in the antics happening on the TV.
I wish you and your family all the best and a prosperous 2022.
Andrew (Fas)