San Geraldo and I had planned to go into Málaga this morning to take care of some business. I really didn't care what I did as long as I did something. But before we headed downstairs for coffee, San Geraldo suggested that we instead go to Bioparc Fuengirola, our local zoo. A much better way to spend a few hours and a nice way to remember Dale, who loved animals.
(Click any image to get the big picture.)
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| SIBLINGS AT BIOPARC FUENGIROLA. |
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| AND MORE SIBLINGS. |
I'm pretty sure that when she was three years old, Dale said she wanted a pony for Christmas. (Although, my parents celebrated Chanukah and not Christmas; and we lived in a 2nd-floor walk-up apartment.)
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| DALE TOLD ME THE LITTLE ROUND THINGS ALL OVER THE GROUND WERE BLUEBERRIES. I BELIEVED HER. |
During her first year of marriage, and living in South Yorkshire, England, with her husband, Dale was outside the house one evening and saw her first-ever slug (those things that are basically snails without shells). When her husband went to kill it, she yelled, "Don't! It's cute!"
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| 1966: LOOKING AT HOUSES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE... WITH A COUNTRY CLUB... AND HORSES! (HAVING MOVED 2 YEARS EARLIER, THE DOWAGER DUCHESS SAID "NO.") |
In 1962, we drove to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania for vacation. There was a fly in the car when we left Long Island. Dale named him Seymour and wouldn't let anyone swat him. He didn't leave us until we reached Pennsylvania.
Six years later, we drove down to Southern Florida (same 1960 Rambler station wagon with no air-conditioning). There was a fly in the car when we left Brooklyn. Dale shrieked, "Seymour!"
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| STILL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: DALE SETTLED FOR A PICTURE WITH A PEACOCK. |
Dale died five months before I met the incomparable San Geraldo. She would have loved him. I hope she finally got her pony.
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| SIBLINGS, 1956. |
She'll never know just how much I miss her...
Wonderful childhood photos. So sweet that you commemorate Dale's birthday every year. She was one of a kind. Thinking of you today.
ReplyDeleteCarole:
DeleteThanks.
That is a nice tribute.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteThanks. I can only imagine what Dale would have to say about it.
Any person able to see the cuteness of a slug was/is an amazing person. Lovely stories and photos.
ReplyDeleteMichael:
DeleteShe was a rare one. That's for sure.
This is very moving, Mitchell. Dale valued all life, that is obvious. What a wonderful lesson to teach her younger brother and everyone around her.
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteShe taught me some other things, too. Like how to drink rum & coke (anyway you like) and how to swear. I adored her!
Mitchell, you are wonderful brother. What a pity you lost your sister.She was too young to die. But we never now when we leave our earth....So each day is a miracle.... I believe..
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteYou are so right. We never know how long we have. Every day should be savored.
Great stories about your fabulous sister.
ReplyDeleteI'm be smiling all day thinking about the road trips with "Seymour."
Bob:
DeleteWhenever I've been on the road and discovered a fly in the car, I've always yelled "Seymour!" (Dale wouldn't approve however; I then roll down a window and swish Seymour out.)
Anyone with a brain in their head knows Heaven is filled with ponies. Of course Dale got a pony.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteThis gave me a huge smile! Thanks.
..I am sure that she knows !
ReplyDeleteBaci
Oh, my dear, Babba, Thanks!
DeleteLove, love, love to you and to San Geraldo, and the Dowager Duchess and Kid Brother, and to Dale.
ReplyDeleteMichelle:
DeleteThanks, Michelle. We ALL are grateful.
What a beautiful tribute to your sister. Wonderful to read, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLaurent:
DeleteThank you even more for reading and commenting!
What a nice post. Please tell me your dear sweet sister didn't convince you to eat any of the blueberries :) She sounds like a nice person, anyone who loves creatures has to be.
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteDale did NOT even suggest I eat the "blueberries." Looking back on it, I've begun to wonder if she really did think they were blueberries! She never mastered the art of subtlety. So she would have encouraged me to "taste one" if she was just trying to have some fun (although I don't think she would have let it get past my lips). She was a truly good soul.
Losing someone whether sibling or parent really changes your life forever. I can tell Dale had a love for life and that you matched her in spades (or hearts, sound better)!!
ReplyDeleteRon:
DeleteWell, when it came to cards, I never matched her in anything... She cheated!
Oh Mitchell, I am in love with you too. I'm so sorry and teary eyed. I just read the other post to get to know Dale better. Wow. It's like you were two peas in a pod, yet very different. Life is so harsh to take such jewels from us when they're so young.
ReplyDeleteHer memory is forever a blessings, and you're doing well to live in her memory and keep her gracious spirit alive.
Hugs, blessings, love, and Shana Tovah (almost). xo
Robyn:
DeleteThanks so much. It's been really special for me to enable people to get to know Dale here. So many more stories.
You always have a way of expressing your thoughts and feelings that go right to my heart.
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteThanks!
Oh, I'm so sorry that I missed reading you yesterday, and so didn't see this Dale post until today. I always have a little sigh for you when I read your posts about Dale. I'm so fortunate that I have my two sisters still. I can't imagine.
ReplyDeleteJudy:
DeleteIt's never too late. I'm just grateful for every one of your visits.