Andrew Awww!

Dear Zoe-

I just read your lovely thank you note and want to share with you in writing some reflections I’ve had over these past weeks as a kind of keepsake and tribute. Being with your Mom and Cyndy to break the shocking and heart rending news of your Dad’s death to you was so emotionally painful yet at the same time such a profoundly moving spiritual experience...as you said you felt Andrew’s spirit so close right then within you and within the room. His unique spirit (life force/soul) is ever and always within you as his child. I believe that with death we lose the personal “presence", but in our life we always have the person‘s “presents”= the precious gifts of love, joy and life shared - and you will always have them in such abundance from Andrew. His spirit was very many presents as we almost immediately began to recall our times with him - usually with a happy sigh or heartfelt laugh. I laughed as you said how you loved to just hang out with him and “be messy”. It’s true isn’t it that life is and always will be imperfect, somewhat impractical, disorganized - messy - and a person’s happiness in life is the measure of laughter and creativity and inspiration he generates in response. There is a quote from Kerouac’s On The Road that I’ve always loved and associated with some of my most beloved, wildest, most wonderful friends and I hold Andrew among them ... “the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn, or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everyone goes ‘Awwww!” As his many friends said in tribute Drew had that special inner spark that enlivened everyone he came in contact with ...he was his own unique version of writer, poet, teacher, comic, actor, director, really a “person extraordinaire”- compelled to create and communicate, so that mention him to anyone who shared in his life and they’ll take a deep breath and sigh ...”Andrew...Awww !”

And we were as you said so lucky to have shared in his life so closely as family and friends. Two inseparable words come to mind when I think of him- “fun loving”. He had such a talent for combining both. Every encounter I remember with Drew was infused with fun and affection. And of course he has a place in “Great Quotations” for his rejoinder to overhearing naughty conversations, voiced in mock-shock: “Well, I guess I’ll just pull up my pants and go home!” What a way with words! Acting roles...everything from the reality based “Mr.Bad Nutrition” to the “visionary” Sancho Panza...And he had a matchless wardrobe...nobody could wear engineer boots and “long shorts” with a leather jacket like Andrew! I’m sending along some archival photos. The first was at Auntie’s in Brockton on Christmas circa 1968 illustrating his appetite for life and all things digestible- he literally relished existence! The other two are from 1970 at our first apartment in Dorchester. Characteristically, he had suggested we get everyone together for a musical “hoe-down” complete with “Hee-Haw” costumes. There he is on harmonica, looking a bit Van Morrisonesque . The other one is to me pure Andrew- in the midst of singing away he took two rose petals, put them between his lips and played to the camera! Happy memories...what a blessing to have shared lives.

I have always been so impressed at how you, your Mom, Sal, Andrew and JR created such a loving child/parent/extended family relationship- and I know that is what always supports and sustains you. How wonderful that you and Ethan are expanding that circle of life and love that Andrew began and will always be a part of. Cyndy and I are always part of it too... Love Uncle Mike