Mary and I are deeply saddened by this news. For us, Paul is one of those indestructible forces of nature, and it is something of an illogical shock to know that he is no longer with us bodily. It should not come as a surprise to know that at 97 he has reached the end that awaits us all; but for us, Paul and Margaret and Harold and Bertha are such an integral part of our past that they will remain with us as treasured, living, vibrant components of whatever makes us what we are today.
It wasn't more than two days ago that Paul and we were exchanging e-mails with "the latest joke" or grumblings about the state of 21st century America or some bit of graphic interest back and forth from Connecticut to California.
When we last visited Paul and Margaret about five years ago, it was clear that time had taken its toll on Margaret; but Paul's mind was as sharp as the mind of that Paul we first knew in Brazil back in the mid-1950s, and that added to the illusion of invincibility. We are so thankful that Paul made a public record of his remarkable life in his important book so that a little-known slice of the history of Europe in the 20th century can be saved.
We will miss him, as you all will.
Here are some photos we thought might be of interest...
Paul and Margaret
Paul and Margaret Wedding.
Our wedding picture in Brazil, 1954. Harold and Barbara are in the back row.
[Paula's Note: This message is from Rod and Mary, friends in Connecticut who are the source of many of Paul's forwarded e-mails. They met my grandparents in Brazil in the 50's, and through them got to know Paul and Bertha. The continued to communicate through the years and have agreed to put me on their e-mailing list in Paul's place . . . so I can keep getting those great e-mails and forward them to more friends!]
No comments:
Post a Comment