Jim in the Adirondacks, 2001
Those of you who read my blog may remember that I wrote about my brother Jim Sachs, who died in 2002 (see September 9, 2009). Today is his birthday, which in our adult lives we used to share with childlike relish at midnight Eastern / 9pm Pacific time, as my birthday is the day after his.
Our enormous family spent as much time as possible with Jim in the months before he died. We accompanied him on one last trip to the Adirondack mountains, where we had spent every summer of our childhood, and we frolicked together at his home in California. It was an unforgettable time.
One day during that last summer, Jim and I were sitting alone by the pool at his home in Atherton, and I read a limerick I’d written for him:
You barely were two When your family knew That you had your own way of thinking You’d play in the dirt Wearing Chris or Pat’s shirt Making toys and inventions (some stinking!)
And when you were nine I remember the time I thought you were rather deluded You concocted some stuff An object – enough To prove to me what you’d concluded.
You explained it to me With great patience and glee: The widgets ’n’ stuff (on the side) Worked together to make it With no need to fake it Add – multiply – subtract – and divide!
You went on to say In the future some day Smart people would show up to hock it. Your further conclusion: (I thought, a delusion) We would each carry one in our pocket!
At twelve you were solving The problems revolving Thru Dartmouth’s math classes each week. And word got around That the kid from the town Was the true and original geek.
Now I was much older Clearly wiser and bolder (The Dartmouth men were all mine) But YOU had the gall To break down the wall Into Dartmouth’s mainframe! (So fine.)
Your room in our cellar You (solo) the dweller Had carpeted walls plus a lab To produce your photography Math and geography Your Life – As You Saw It – Way Fab!
As we all got older (Less wiser, less bolder) You seemed to take off in a spin. Your toys and inventions Broke all known conventions: Apple’s Mouse, Laser Tag, Ted Ruxpin.
And now I see YOU With your life partner Sue And Jessica, Betsy and Chris: You’ve taught us to squeeze With such joy and such ease Each minute with its unique bliss.
And so with this ditty Altho itty-bitty I’m striving to thank you and say That you’ll be in my heart And each memory part For the rest of my life, every day.
Neither of us could speak for a while. Then Jim, to me, oh-so-quietly: “Vigor and smarts in ALL of my parts?” (Pause) “Like that.”
We sat silently by the pool for a long time.
Sometimes there are no words.
Happy Birthday Ann!
If there ever was a sweeter one than you, I never met her……
(not a limerick)
I love you.
Happy Birthday! It seems that cyberspace always brings me to sites about siblings. I’m the baby (the special one) with three siblings, who, thank God, are still on this earth. Your moving post underscored the fact that love continues even when our loved ones pass.
Since I am still celebrating my 51-and-how-the-heck-did-I-get-here birthday, please allow me to send you a birthday gift. My gift to you is the link to a free cover-to-cover read of my book about my amazing Spirit-led journey that began on the birthday that all of my friends forgot (one of my best birthdays yet!)
Just sign up here: No Experts Needed dot com. No strings/spam attached, really! (I know, hard to believe these days 🙂 But it’s simply my way of giving back.
Continue the celebration,
Louise Lewis, author
No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You!
http://www.noexpertsneeded.com
Ann
Happy Birthday. I could feel the love….I celebrate you and Jim on this day. May all you give come back to you in wondrous ways.
With Regards,
Wendy
I am Jims Aunt Judies nephew and just wanted to say,when The Heltons along with Aunt Judy get together here at home [Knoxville] we stroll down memory lane and alot of those strolls include Jim,Sue and The Kids.And I just wanted to say Jim was good man and a great father and husband.And is missed by all who knew him,but he lives on in our hearts and thoughts
Oh, Greg, thank you so much for your comment! Of course I agree with everything you say, and Jim is with me every day.
Please give my love to your Aunt Judy.
Ann