Weave the Web

A Letter to Dang

by Nadia Tarlow - July 2000

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Dang,

 

“Oh, don’t be silly,” I can hear you saying as we cook those delicious corn flake, peanut butter cookies I always made when I visited you.  I can smell them.  I can taste them.  I can see us sitting in your sunroom in Florida watching the boats go by.  “Go log it in the book, Din Din, the ‘O’Malley from South Carolina.’”

 

I saw you a month ago or so, sensing it would be the last time.  I will cherish the photo my Mom took of us that day, you, me and Luca, but my most vivid memories are from a different time, a different you.

 

Another one, just flashed through my mind… sitting on the floor in your living room, again your house in Florida going through your photo albums – asking questions about our family… “Oh, Dina, I can’t remember!” you’d often respond.  Oh, another one, driving your car.  You and I couldn’t stop laughing as I tried to drive that big boat.  I’d gently touch the brakes, but they were so much more sensitive than I was used to, and we lurched the whole way home.  Michael and I breaking your camel cigarettes in half or hiding them from you.  Oh how that bothered you!  I visited you by myself, often and it is these times I will remember most.

 

We kept in touch, you and I, through letters mostly, I kept many of them.  I opened one of my scrapbooks today to find a birthday card from you from 1985:

 

April 5th – Hi! It’s been so long since I heard from you – I’m sure it’s my turn to write.  I had house guests for 8 weeks – first my sister who fell the first day here and was on crutches for 2 weeks.  Then Mrs. Devere came and overlapped 5 days with Aunt Phyl and Julie.  The weather was nice while Julie was here so she went to the beach and went home with a good tan.  It was great having them all, but I’m tired and taking it easy.  I’m coming out July 2nd and hope I’ll see something of you this time.  I’m having my annual Derby Day Party, May 2nd which should be fun – 20 people and pari mutual betting!!

 

April 20th – I went to a lovely church service yesterday and had an accident on the way home. Nobody was hurt, but it was a bit unsettling.  1-2-3  Dang

 

You never expressed your feelings with me.  I often admired you for that – so different from me whose expressions can always be seen by looking at my face.  I knew you as a grandmother – a very special one given your role in my life from the day I was born.  More recently, however, I had a chance to see a different side of you.  First, when Luca was born.  We received cards and gifts to welcome our child into the world from friends of yours…one card reads, “To Baby Luca, How lucky you are to be born into the family of my dear old friend, Beverly Webster!”  I was very touched by the kindness of your friends, and I learned