Cher Clifford,

I remember you as a little boy, a child filled with wonder and curiosity and playfulness. Not to mention the antics that possibly gave your mom her first grey hairs. That impish little smile and the twinkle in your eyes got me every time.  

Many years later when I was visiting your Mom  you drove us everywhere….and at the end of each of our outings, there you were, waiting to pick us up.  I felt special with you as our patient, smiling private chauffeur.  I hope I thanked you enough.  The twinkle in your eyes affirmed you were happy to do this. After all, we were family.  

And Family… I think of Rachel, a daughter who lived forever in your heart. 

And then the  four legged friends who were always by your side.  You had an intuitive understanding and kinship with these animals…I believed you inherited these traits from your Dad who also had an affinity for all sentient beings.  

I was often amazed at your uncanny knowledge of things that needed fixing….how to deal with frozen pipes, the dripping faucets, the fuses that blew in the night, and all those thingamajigs  going-on’s in an ailing car.  You had a sense of mechanics, a world forever foreign to me.  

When I will watch twinkling stars I will think  of your eyes sparkling in the mysterious hereafter.  Rest in peace dear nephew 

Tante Claudette