<3

When I met Don 9 years ago at GMS I had no idea that he would become such an important person in my life, a friend, a mentor, and most importantly an honorary Dad. I started as a receptionist and back then no one bothered to learn your name or even acknowledge you if you hadn't been there at least 6 months. That didn't matter to Don, within a week we knew all the important things about each other and our bond was sealed.

His goal was always to make sure you knew exactly what you meant to him. He challenged me to be stronger emotionally, mentally & spiritually. Thru his love and guidance he gave me the strength to overcome so many things and with the occasional kick in the butt when I resisted too long for his liking. He made me realize the true bond that is created thru friendship and love.

For anyone that knew Don, you knew his love of Asian food. I had and still sometimes do have a tendency to work thru lunch. Early on in our friendship he stopped by my desk and dropped 2 egg rolls with sweet and sour sauce off and told me if I wasn't going to take care of myself then he would. From that day on, anytime he got Asian food I got 2 egg rolls with sweet and sour sauce. The truth is, I couldn't stand them but because they came from him I ate them, thanked him, and told him they were great. I know it seems like a stupid thing to keep eating something you don't like but that wasn't the point of the egg rolls for either of us. He was showing me I was loved and wanted me to take care of myself the way he thought I deserved to be and I was acknowledging that and learning with each and every egg roll the true meaning of the word Dad.

The last year has been devastatingly difficult for all who knew Don but especially for his family. I thank God that I have been able to be there even in some small way and I want to thank them for so generously sharing their son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle with me throughout the last 9 years.

Don, you are so very loved and will be missed more than you could possibly imagine.

A letter to my Brother

Don,

It's hasn’t been long since God called you home,

I know that you are in a much better place now and that your pain is gone.

You know the memories I have of you go back a long time.

One of my earliest memories is when you and I would get up out of our beds and watched our father pull his car out of the garage and head off for work in the morning.

I remember when we would make snow forts, and fill them with snowballs. Then when we were done we would have a huge snowball fight.

I also remember skating and playing hockey down on the pond by the pipes, and when I fell through the ice I remember you walking me home.

I remember when you used a towel for a cape and played superman by jumping down the stairs, but you jumped high enough to crack your head on the corner of the ceiling, it only took a couple of stiches for your head, I believe the mark on the corner was still there when we moved.

I remember building tree forts in the woods behind the house.

I remember that crazy cat Claude, who used to wait in a tree and pounce on us or anyone who walked under the tree he was sitting in.

I remember one of the first times you were allowed to babysit, and I was in my PJ’s, I don’t remember why, but you locked me out of the house, it was winter and there was a lot of snow on the ground.

I remember riding our mini bikes through the many trails around the fields and woods behind the house in Webster.

Then there was the move from New York to California.

I remember the Pinball arcades that our father was a partner of, we painted the inside of the buildings. We moved and fixed many arcade games. Then there was those times that you took me with you to collect the daily intake from the arcades.

Life was changing we were growing up.

I remember you taking me to the radio station showing me how it worked and then letting me be the DJ for the afternoon.

I was there at your wedding, and you were there for both of mine.

When I married Cathy our relationship got even closer. Since Cathy is your wife’s sister we spent a lot of time together. It didn’t matter if you went to your in-laws and I went to mine, we ended up at the same place.

All the memories of when our kids were growing up, of Soccer, Scouts, School and Camping along with all the birthdays and holidays.

Then with our kids grown up, there were the Trips, the one to San Diego to the Star Trek exhibit, and the trips to Vegas.

There was all those nights we went out for Dinner, I remember the last time we went out and went to the Bombay restaurant. That was so much fun and such good food.

I remember the nights that our wife’s went out shopping leaving us usually at your house, just hanging out.

I hold all these memories and so many more much closer to my heart now, knowing that for now I can only share these memories with others and not you, and because of this my heart aches. I miss you so much.

The light at the end of the tunnel for me, is knowing that one sweet day, when we are together again in Heaven, we will be able to share these memories again.

I don’t know when, but sometime during all this, there was a change, and not only were you my Brother, but you became my Friend.

Don, you are and always will be, My Brother, My Friend.

Love,
Brett

My Dad

© Leah Hendrie

If I could write a story
It would be the greatest ever told
Of a kind and loving father
Who had a heart of gold

If could write a million pages
But still be unable to say, just how
Much I love and miss him
Every single day

I will remember all he taught me
I'm hurt but won't be sad
‘coz he'll send me down the answers
And he'll always be MY DAD

I love you Dad I miss you so much today I wish you where here to just talk to I wish I could just see your smile one more time I love you my Hero

you and debbie touched my life at a young age, when i was a lost teen or almost teen you and debbie took me in as your own and loved me as the daughter you never had and put up with my crazy teen years and have been adopted as my god parents since we met ..... iloveu both and my brothers so much and will always be here if debbie or my little bros need me day or night .....dont you worry about them i promise to be here for them and make sure they are ok until we see you again so save a spot for all of us because we are all looking foward to it when it is our time xoxoxoxox
forever missed but never forgotten Rip <3