Thursday, February 10, 2022
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My uncle Doug was the coolest. I know now as an adult how influential he was in my life and how grateful I am to have had him as an Uncle. He exposed Melissa and I to Arts and Culture by taking us on trips to NYC, visiting SoHo and Greenwich Village, taking us to galleries, museums and the theater. At the same time he took to explore Japanese, African and Indian cuisine. These cultural experiences impact one’s openness to the world while creating acceptance and compassion towards people. I strongly believe I am the person I am today as a result of Uncle Dougs influence.
I was always intrigued by Uncle Dougs eccentric, creative and artistic mind. His mind was sharp with a memory that made anyone close feel inadequate, while his stories always kept people attentive. I was also fascinated by Uncle Dougs particularities in life of which I can relate to so well. He knew exactly the asthetics he wanted to surround himself - the volume, type of music, what accent light or candle to burn and what color or painting he wanted on a specific wall.
I played Yo Yo Ma and Sebastian Bach softly next to him the last weeks of his life. He loved it and would lift his head and whisper “ that’s the perfect bass” or “that’s beautiful”. I embraced these moments with him where I could now control a calm environment, one I knew he appreciated dearly. I know I inherited these aesthetical particularities from my Uncle Doug (my family could attest). I am honored to have been a quiet and peaceful presence that he appreciated so. I miss him dearly.
