Mary Blohm
Dear Sarah, Jerome, Sharon, Roger, Mike, Coleen, Anita, Kevin and Dennis (I hope I got everyone),
I don’t really know what to say except losing Dan is so much more like losing one of my brothers. I feel way more sorrow than ever before. He was the first, beside my family, to visit me in the hospital back 20 years ago in Madison, and I was so happy to hear his voice that my blood pressure scared my doctor. Not many people can do that to me. He was the sweetest, gentlest, most generous, kindest person I’ve ever known. He and Dolores would have me over for pizza...homemade...as often as we could get together the years I was at UW-O. They knew how to encourage artistic endeavor even to the point of hanging a neoartist’s massive painting in their hallway. It was always a delight to be in their company. Dr. Lynch was at my graduation with my mom and dad, which made the occasion even more special.
The last get together was a couple years back when one of my customers invited me to check out some mushrooms, a massive amount, in his backyard. I called Dan and the next day we were picking Oak mushrooms, which were outstanding by the way. Dan also knew the best place to get deer sausage made and where to get the best maple syrup. I remember him tapping his tree in the front yard when he felt it was big enough, too. His garden was impressive as well. I always enjoyed the birds out the back door, and it never ceased to amaze me how Dan and Dolores could grow amaryllises. I tried here in Necedah, but I think I don’t have windows in the right location or the porch keeps the sun’s rays too far away.
The business of losing a family member is affecting me more and more, not because I have a problem with mortality, but because I think of who are we going to lose next. We were asked at the last reunion if we should continue or do it bi-annually or what. We’ve lost three family members this year so far. Perhaps when we cousins are gone, it’ll be time enough to stop, but not now. Dan looked forward to each reunion, and so do I. But, this is not the place to discuss it.
We’re all going to be hurting for a long time over Dan. He was the best of us. We don’t get over it; we learn to live with it. I’m going to light candles and have Masses said for Dan and the rest of us. I seem to be falling short of those efforts lately anyway. Time to get back to Masses, rosaries and candles. May eternal light shine upon him, and may he Rest In Peace.