Sunday, November 24, 2019
I was almost 9 when I was taken away from the only family I knew in Besenyo" Hungary and ' reunited ' with my parents & brothers, who had been born in Canada. When I arrived in Toronto to a crowd at the airport I looked into the faces of everyone, all strangers to me. Then when I first saw my uncle Jimmy he was the spitting image of one of my favourt cousins/playmates back home. It was the only connection that I felt amongst my great fears and I felt love for him right then.
He had the bad-boy look of the most popular American singers/actors of the '60s and was equally charming. He made me feel extremely shy as a preteen, but I loved being in his company. Enjoyed visits with eveyone at the family home on Annette every chance I had.
Most recently I am grateful for our reconnection and his patience with my poor quality Magyar. During many long conversations with him and Gizzike I am much improved. When I enjoyed their hospitality in Wawa I had the great pleasure of also being once again with my beloved cousin Linda, and meeting her charismatic son Alec.
Uncle Jimmy leaves a great void in our too small remaining family. We will miss him in his absense from us. I was fortunate not to have to watch suffering deminish him from the 'bigger than life' man he was to a very frail patient. To those who had to, my heart goes out to you. And my thanks for caring for my beloved uncle Jimmy.
