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After my father died in 1976, I would take off from my business to take care of David while he was on furlough from the Austin State School. Running a business was stressful for me, especially since I wasn't really ready to handle the task. When it was time for tending to David the world had to stop and wait. I slowed to his pace and just spent time tending to him. Walks in the park, drives around town, tearing up old magazines in the livingroom, sitting on the edge of a pond or lake tossing in rocks and other low key but meditative and relaxing activities filled my time with him. It purged my mind the way a retreat to a meditation camp would. |
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The lessons I learned from David were that for the most part we create our happiness and sadness. Certainly our willingness to take care of him provided a supportive environment that he couldn't acquire on his own, but within limits we can still enjoy a full life despite even extreme handicaps. Real joy does come from the simple things. Seeing wonder in the world through David's eyes has aided me to this day to see wonder in every butterfly, pond splash or cloud that passes over. |
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The most difficult thing for me following my Dad's death was how to communicate that to David. He didn't seem to understand what had happened but I could see he missed Dad terribly. I was at a total loss as to how to deal with that. I never did and David died just under a year later. Still David remained happy during that last year. Once my girlfriend, David and I were in a grocery store standing in the check out line. David let out one of his famous war whoops and everyone in the store turned and looked. My girlfriend took a few steps away and pretended to not be with us. I just waved at everyone and said "That's my brother!" Everyone went about their business nonplussed. My girlfriend's excessive sensitivity to that situation was one of several reasons that we later went our separate ways. |
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| One of David's favorite toys was his See and Say |
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This my Mom and David in 1953. |
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At one time we owned what is known as the Bandit's Cave in Rollingwood, a suburb community adjoining Austin at Zilker Park. These three photos are of my Dad and David looking over the cave. |
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This is my Dad and David around 1974 or 1975 |
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