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 This page is dedicated to Donald Lane Berlin who passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2008.
Don loved Hawaii. He enjoyed swimming in the ocean. He loved to read. He traveled around the world in his life and was looking forward to doing more traveling with Simone. He appreciated Hawaii's climate and truly had an easy-going 'island' way about him.
What a sweet man. I got to know him when his health was failing. He and Simone were busy with doctors' visits, drug treatments and I don't know what else. He would take the time to ask me how I was. Imagine that? Regardless of what he was going through, he wanted to know if I was ok. It always touched me to the core that he would care about me.
Don was interesting. He had this understanding of the world and its people that I admired but didn't quite understand. He was so worldly. The result of his studies, travels, occupation(s), no doubt. Still, Don was a simple man, who seemed to enjoy the simple life.
At first, he wasn't sure about massage. Due to Simone's coaxing, he allowed me to massage him. He was not thrilled about that first massage, that was for sure. But, after the first one, I like to think he was hooked. I pray that those massages made his days a bit easier.
Where exercise was concerned, Don was always willing to exercise. He always wanted to do his best even on those difficult days, but I'd opt to simply give him a massage instead.
One day, he walked me through the house to Simone's art studio to show me her art work. Obviously very proud of his beautiful wife. He pointed out a painting by Simone's grandmother, explaining that she followed in her grandmother's footsteps by becoming an artist.
On his last day with us, through his discomfort, he still managed to smile and try to keep up a conversation. Don will live on in my heart. His gentle demeanor was comforting to me. I wish that I was able to bring him some comfort in return.
Don taught me that not only is a new life precious, the end of life is just as precious as we reflect on our lives. A time to cherish life's gifts--the experiences, the challenges, the accomplishments, and all the stuff in between.
William Maran wrote: 'What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.'
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