Hello Friends and Family,
Just a quick(?) hello on behalf of myself and Dad (Jerry Kaufman). Haven’t talked to some of youfor awhile and before the summer slips by I wanted to say hello and let you knowhow Dad is doing.
Well, Dad is doing fairly well, about as good as one can expect for a 96 1/2 year old whohas had two strokes and I’m grateful for that (not the strokes). At the same time, one has to adjust to changes
- nothing extreme – but it happens to all of us… a little memory loss here, aches and pains and more aches and pains, etc.
Dad has never taken any medicine until now (He takes something for his heart, having had a valve problem for some time; it remains under control..) Dad has already rebounded so many times I can’t tell you.
Sometimes its just from a bad stock market morning and by evening he’s his old , er, young self.
Dad is still generally alert but there have been times recently when he hasn’t been, and it has been of some concern. So, I thought I’d alert you now rather than later. My plan is for Dad to be around
to celebrate 100 and then some – and the way he’s been going it’s totally possible – this for a man who wasn’t
expected to make it through childhood; did you know he was diagnosed with tuberculosis as a baby?; tuberculosis
was a death sentence back then according to him.
Dad is pretty good about taking care of himself and deserves credit – ‘moderation’ is the key-, diet, a little exercise (try to get him
out once a day, though walking doesn’t get any easier as we age and there are days when it’s too difficult
for him.) Hopefully, the warm(?) weather will help. Dad has outlasted our favorite local fitness guru,
Jack LaLanne, who recently passed at 96 – perhaps LaLanne would have lived longer with less exercise. like Dad?!X? LOL.
A big factor in longevity, I’ve witnessed, is for one to have a purpose, some stimulation – and family support.
Now that Dad has finally turned in the stethoscope there hasn’t been a lot for him, a man who has only known work most of
his life. . The stock market has not been a positive thing
to watch of late, so, we have been getting out for little ‘adventures,’ which I think and hope is helping Dad.
Recent mini-trips included a tour of the ‘underbelly’ of the Port of Oakland (ever see those giant cranes
close up? a sight to behold,) the old Oakland Mole train station, house hunting (not buying- it’s more fun just to look),
and, finding bargain lunches (leave it to the Coupon King – how’s about totally free hot dogs at Der Wienershnitzel?
leave off the french fries, please. Dad and Faye were not too crazy about the Alley and it’s $11 steak dinners, not
to mention the piano man at the piano bar, going on his 50th year ( he was off this night.) I’m very impressed
with this place we all avoided growing up, as some dingy place. You should see it now; don’t turn the lights on.
I guess I should have been embarrassed to take Dad here. I think he and Faye were pretty shocked when they saw the place, which, on the inside,resembles the dinner scene in Great Expectations, replete with cobwebs and 50 year old yellow business cards and papers on the walls
(Someone’s dirt is another person’s charm.) Another place that hasn’t changed in all the years is our old home at 27 Hillwood Place,
even the faded street number ’27, ‘ which I painted 50 years ago, is still visable. (Sorry I can’t show you the
picture, which got erased from my new camera phone.
This weekend, if all goes well, we’ll splurge for Father’s Day at the Ritz Carlton, where Dad asked to go, surprisingly..
I will check the Groupon affiliate and others for a discount. Doubt it, even for the Coupon King. But sometimes you just have to bite the bullet, though Dad says the food tastes better if its a bargain. I better find that discount. Jack Benny, where are you?
Jack trying to fix the old Maxwell himself, at Rochester’s dismay
Sunday we went through Dad’s old roladex, trying to figure out who among his old friends are still around.
We tried calling some, only to usually get no answer.
We didn’t get too far, but it was good to talk about them, at least, and, for me , to hear some good stories while
remembering those who played a significant part in our lives. It must be hard to outlive most all your friends;
on the other hand it’s probably better than the alternative.
Today we had our latest ‘adventure.’ On the way to get an estimate on some body work on our cars -
I won’t go into why – we drove by Dad’s old office, his first office, on Ellsworth in Berkeley. It had a big
FOR SALE sign on it; it looked the same as when Dad worked there 50 years ago. I told my Dad we should
at least inquire as to the price. He poo-poohed the idea. Of course when I came back tonight to see him
he had already called the realtor. $300.000 for the 1/2 block-long brick 4-office building. BARGAIN!
So, that’s about it. Probably more information than you wanted or needed to know.
Hope to slow up the clock one of these days and at least say hello to those we’ve missed. In the meantime,
I’m sure Dad would enjoy hearing from his relatives and friends; new phone number is (510)922-8557
Early in the day is better for him.
Meanwhile, hope you’re feeling well and having some fun. There’s certainly a lot in the world to enjoy and laugh about,
(better than crying.) Hope to talk to you soon. Please give our best to those who may not have received this,
and , sorry for it’s length. I get carried away sometimes; perhaps its therapeutic for me.
Lastly and most importantly, let me thank Faye and Erwin, more like family than caretakers, without whom we could have not
gotten to this point and a few other key people in our lives. You know who you are. Erwin will be finally rejoining his family
next month in the Phillipines after nearly four years of looking after Dad. Faye
is finishing her first year of nursing school all the while helping Dad. I am trying to help ‘spell’ her at key times
so she can keep up her grades.
All our best,
Burt 
for Dad
PS It will have been 11 birthdays June 21, since we lost sister Joan. I’m still at a loss as how to appropriately preserve her
legacy, as well as those of Don and Mom (Pauline). All I know is that they’re still a big part of my life , everyday.
Every now and then they still have a special affect on me as I recall and try to emulate valuable messages they left me,
eg with summer it’s time for Gatorade slush, perhaps my favorite drink, of which Joan introduced me.
