I must admit...I am the worst at sitting down to write, when it comes to someone so special, especially to say goodbye and share memories....I can do it! I just need to find the time to get into the perfect mindset, so that I can say what I REALLY want to say...I have not seemed ot have gotten to that place yet...I just have so much to say about my Uncle David <3....So, until I get to that place in my mind, I will share a much shortened version of the many memories that have been filling my heart and mind over this past week...

It is so hard to not be able to be with family during the difficult times that growing older bring to all of us...especially losing a parent.  Even though I can not be there, my heart and prayers are out west, with my cousins Mari Brown​ and Bill Dockham...their dad, my wonderful Uncle David Dockham​, passed away last week, in Hood River, OR.  Our Uncle David was our mom's baby brother...he was the youngest of 4 children, and was the youngest by eleven years....and was born to his mother when she was 47 years old! Amazing even by today's standards, never mind 79 years ago!  He was an amazing, VERY intelligent, lover of life and family...despite the distance between us, he was able to stay close in heart and mind, and always made the effort to get out East to see us when able...and always sent the most thoughtful gifts to each of us....right down to the newest of babies. :)  BUT!! ....NOTHING will compare to the Oregon PEARS, that he sent for so many years!!  Oh my goodness, how we anxiously awaited those pears!!! :)  And, he was always so thankful for the simplest of things.... I will forever smile when I remember how TRULY grateful and giddy-with-excitement he was when I sent him a t-shirt, from Walden Pond (ironically, there is now a gift shop there???), that read "Thoreau Sauntering Society"...It was so perfect for him...he was a great thinker :)  And, most importantly, as his daughter, Mari has said, his most amazing accomplishment was the life he built for his son, my cousin Bill, who was born with special needs 48 years ago...as she said, he was "an advocate" for those with special needs, well before it was a "position" people actually identified as being needed. God could not have chosen a more perfect father for Bill <3 ....Mari...I am so sorry that I can not be out there this weekend as you celebrate his amazing life...but I know you know my heart is there with you and Bill...and we know that your dad was welcomed "home" by our mom..his loving big sister,  Jane <3   I love you, "cuz"! <3