We just received word that a friend and fellow Temple member, Don Brotherson, has passed away. He recently had a hip replacement which he got through quite well but a problem was discovered.  We have been devastated because we have seen him and Mary Lou just recently at a New World symphony concert in Lincoln Road.  I spoke to him by phone and he sounded weak but this was a surprise and surpasses sadness.

One reason I felt the blow of his leaving us is that I had hoped for a friendship beyond our singing bass in the Temple Choir.  I could count on him for listening if not giving advice about my problems with e-mail and the computer.  This was not to be and I grieve for myself as well as Mary Lou and the family.  I realize that I have no friends that I can call and go out doing things together.  I left a number of special people up in New Jersey and have lost contact with others who made inroads on my basically self-sufficient ways.

There are special moments shared with people that you never forget.  With Don it was two different occasions.  The first was the first time he came to our apartment after Lady Lil, Carol’s mom, died and people came to pay their respects.  Karenne came down and she became the center of attention because that is what she is and does.  She took a shine to Don and he became her center of attention.  That was quite something to see. She needed help on some math and got him to help.

Another time during a service in the Chapel of Temple Sinai of North Dade, there appeared a very good looking woman of a certain age.  She smiled in my direction and I preened a little and she seemed to smile more encouragingly.  I do not usually give my self credit for attracting the attention of good looking females but this was really ego building.  I felt a little embarrassed and looked down and then to my left and I saw that who she was actually giving the eye to was Donald Brotherson.  I was so embarrassed that I began to pay attention to the services.

Don had that kind of appeal and I had hoped that one day we could become better acquainted and I could show off my tastes in music and art.  I wish I could have persuaded him to let me draw his left profile before he began to lose the color of life and we could see him wasting away and his hair becoming whiter.

There are many things that surpass sadness.  There are many things that might have been. I am sorry for the pain that Mary Lou has endured, for her hip operation was held in abeyance until Don’s was over and he was well.