Before anyone tells me I don’t know the difference between “to, too and two,” please let me explain why I used the word “two.” It has been roughly 20 years since I have wanted to write a book entitled Men Cry Two! Since it appears to be unmanly to cry outwardly, I find myself crying inwardly in many circumstances, thus the title of my unwritten book.
Don Ennis, whom I have written about the last five weeks, has been in and out of the hospital and a nursing home recently. I have gone to visit him several times. On Nov. 2, I once again went to visit him at the nursing home and found his bed empty. After checking with two different staff members, I was told he was no longer there and I should contact his family. My thoughts of the inevitable proved true when I called his son’s house. Don passed away on Oct. 31.
I started to talk with Don about writing a series about him in late spring or early summer and completed the draft the second week of August. The Tri County Record and I decided since much of Don’s life involved the Navy, we would wait to print the series so it was completed the week of Veterans Day. Fortunately, because of my quest for accuracy and seeking approval from Don of the final wording (I don’t consider myself a news journalist, just a very amateur writer or storyteller), I did not take the advice of the newspaper’s editor to not show the material to the subject before printing it. Therefore, Don had the opportunity to read the series in its entirety. I also gave Don three thin notebooks containing the series about him, one for him and one for each of his two children.
Don, at times, was a little rough around the edges. However, if those who met him did not take the opportunity to get to know him, it was their loss. I thought it apropos to share with you a letter I gave to him with the notebook.
Dear Don,It has been a great pleasure having four extended lunches with you plus two additional sessions to talk about you and your life, especially the time you spent in the Navy. You are a true Patriot and I mean that in the best sense of the word! Your love for Muriel and your family is very evident.
Your gusto for life and all that is in it is very much exemplified by your enthusiasm, many talents and competitiveness, certainly qualities that all of us should have.
You taught me much during our discussions about: Navy procedures, navigational equipment, the responsibilities of a Chief Quartermaster, geography and how to enjoy life. However, most important is you have impressed upon me how to love and cherish my wife even more than I have.
The enclosed is the full report of our meetings, most of which will, as far as I understand, be run in the Tri County Record around the weeks leading up to Veterans Day. When I told the editor that your story was written as a six part series, I was requested to reduce the series to four parts, so some of the story will be removed from the newspaper article.
Don, thanks for putting up with me for so long. I trust our friendship will continue.
Wishing a great husband, veteran and as Muriel [Don’s wife] would say: “The boy in you,” the best.
God Bless,JeffSpecial note to Curt who was a friend of Don’s before me: Thanks for keeping track of where Don was while he was sick, visiting him and praying for him. Because of your concern and care for Don, I feel like I now have a new friend in you!
Jeff Hall, of Honey Brook, contributes columns to Berks-Mont Newspapers.
