This is a post that was first published in my private blog three years ago, simply titled, ‘Thank You, Terry!’ I reproduce it here in tribute to Terry, a dear friend, no more, but forever in our hearts.
Dear Terry:
Its been only a few weeks since you’ve been gone, but it feels like much longer… does it feel the same to you? I’ve been thinking of you, Terry. How sweet you always were. How sweet you must be now.
And I think that you’ve been thinking of us too. Or at least I’d like to think so… Well, I’m writing, in particular, to tell you that your thoughtfulness has survived you, Terry. You always remembered to save stamps for Sana, and would give them to me every so often to pass them along to her, well, that was so sweet, and so YOU.
And now– you’re still doing the same! Let me tell you how: last week, we received a letter from your friends in Ohio– we had sat with them at the luncheon following your memorial service. The letter contained three stamps– large and colorful ones from Barbados. Denis, who’d written the letter explained that he now realized that when you often told them to save up their overseas stamps, he now understands that you used to collect them to pass on to Sana. This, he gathered from my extempore eulogy I’d offered during the service (which was more of a ramble than anything), but I believe I’d said something to the effect that you were always so thoughtful to give to your friends not just random things, but things that they liked and had a passion for.
And so, we read Denis’ note and stared at the stamps. And smiled. You are gone, Terry, but your love and thoughtfulness live on. They have survived you. So, thank you. For the stamps. For the jars of marmalade and lemon curd that still sit inside my refrigerator door. For the last Alexander McCall Smith book you loaned me (with the reminder that it needed to be returned to the library by January 17th). For the mincemeat tarts that you gave Sunder that last day he came out to visit with you.
For all these, but most of all your for your sweet friendship over the years. I am the richer and the better for having had the privilege of calling you my friend, dear Terry. “Your eyes have died, but you see more than I…”
Thank you for being you.
Your friend,
-Simmi
Everett McKinley Dirksen 1/4/1896 – 9/7/1969 American politician and Republican leader of the Senate.
