Yesterday I attended a memorial for a friend of mine whose son had died. Family is so precious and we want to always remember them.
So, I decided to re-post a blog I did in remembrance of my son who died the day after Thanksgiving in 2009.
We continue to remember his bright smile, his humorous quips, and his incredible drawing and art. And we can’t help but smile and laugh as we think about him.
You are never forgotten, Don. From me, your sister and your brother, we post again some of your incredible art, pictures of you growing up and the recording of the song written for and about you by your friend, David Abramson.
True Blue
(for Don Anderson)
Every now and then
The phone would ring
And he would ask me simply
How is everything?
And though I seldom called him
His kinship kept its hue
He was true
True blue
The first time I met him
He was doodling
And again with phantom pen
As he lay fading
From the dawn of the Don
To the midnight gone
He was true
True blue
And sometimes we would wonder
What’s in store for him
Whether charcoal clouds would sully
The good lines in him
But even his demons and dragons
Had a wink in the way that he drew
He was true
True blue
When we shared a dinner
I now recall
His kind defense of others
He made room for all
His friends were a colorful gumbo
A spicy and marvelous stew
And we still
Love you
And so we arise from the mourning
With the wiser smiles we’ve Donned
And the love
Lives on
And the love
Lives on
(c) (c) David Abramson, Feb. 6th, 2010
David was Don’s friend and he wrote this song for Don after he died. The song in many ways represent the feelings of so many of his friends in California where he worked and lived. They loved him.
And so do we – his remaining family members.
Don died, November 27, 2009
We all still love you – you will always be a part of our lives.
Some pictures of him and family.
He was drawing as soon as he could hold a pencil
Don and his brother Bob
Don and I at Disneyland
His Sister, Elizabeth and him enjoying one of their many rollicking laughs – both Bob and Elizabeth adored their brother Don.
He came to help us celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. He had been working in Santa Monica for many years as a Conceptual Creative Artist
Some of his creative talent – Throughout his grade school and high school years he was sketching and would absolutely amaze people who came to visit as he would complete a sketch in about 15 minutes.
Some of his monsters and creatures
Commissioned to create the designs that would be used for the Crayola Anniversary Bus tour
There are boxes and boxes and files and files of his work. There are video’s of short stories he wrote, produced and directed. The pictures above don’t begin to give credit to the huge repertoire of art and accomplishments before pancreatic cancer took his life.
You are always with us.
Love you,
Beautiful and honoring tribute song; Don clearly loved life, his family and friends – and was loved. And what a talented artist . . . thank you for sharing these rich and touching memories that live on.
Thanks Sue – He was one of those special gifts God gives to you. He was an incredible young man. E-mails from his friends indicate they still miss him as well.
Love the song
Loved the guy
Love his family….of which we are all a part of
Thanks Pastor Kevin – You were such a part of his passing and all our family. Blessings on your ministry and church
What fantastic drawings! I relate to what you’ve gone through and how God has given you peace in your son’s absence. Thanks for sharing your heart with us, Marlene.
Thanks Norma, He was a great guy and loved by so many.
This song is a beautiful tribute to Don. You feel like you know him (or wish you had) His creative spirit shines through in his artwork.
Sheila, Don was a joy to raise. And everyone loved him. I was so blessed to have him for a son. And the composer who wrote the song in his honor gave me the rights. I love the piece.