It is so hard to not be able to be with family during the difficult times that growing older bring to all of us...especially losing a parent.  Even though I can not be there, my heart and prayers are out west, with my cousins Mari Brown​ and Bill Dockham...their dad, my wonderful Uncle David Dockham​, passed away last week, in Hood River, OR.  Our Uncle David was our mom's baby brother...he was the youngest of 4 children, and was the youngest by eleven years....and was born to his mother when she was 47 years old! Amazing even by today's standards, never mind 79 years ago!  He was an amazing, VERY intelligent, lover of life and family...despite the distance between us, he was able to stay close in heart and mind, and always made the effort to get out East to see us when able...and always sent the most thoughtful gifts to each of us....right down to the newest of babies. :)  BUT!! ....NOTHING will compare to the Oregon PEARS, that he sent for so many years!!  Oh my goodness, how we anxiously awaited those pears!!! :)  And, he was always so thankful for the simplest of things.... I will forever smile when I remember how TRULY grateful and giddy-with-excitement he was when I sent him a t-shirt, from Walden Pond (ironically, there is now a gift shop there???), that read "Thoreau Sauntering Society"...It was so perfect for him...he was a great thinker :)  And, most importantly, as his daughter, Mari has said, his most amazing accomplishment was the life he built for his son, my cousin Bill, who was born with special needs 48 years ago...as she said, he was "an advocate" for those with special needs, well before it was a "position" people actually identified as being needed. God could not have chosen a more perfect father for Bill <3 ....Mari...I am so sorry that I can not be out there this weekend as you celebrate his amazing life...but I know you know my heart is there with you and Bill...and we know that your dad was welcomed "home" by our mom..his loving big sister,  Jane <3   I love you, "cuz"! <3

I do not recall the year that Billy was in the Special Olympics, but I do remember the excitement and pride we all felt. He arrived to our house an Olympian! We greeted him with a red carpet enterance, posters of Congratulations and bottles of Sparkling Grape Juice! He walked up the carpet with gold metals around his neck and the biggest smile of confidence and pride! We cheered him on with tears of love, laughter and pride, asking for his autograph. He is quite the man, that Billy. My Uncle David was standing there with so much love and pride for his son. It was a great day! 

When he was visiting in the summer, he made sure to head up to NH or Maine to order lobsters and have them shipped home! Not sure who he shared them with but I am sure they were a hit. 

As our family grew, Uncle Oregon became a household name for my children, and all the nieces and nephews. He put so much thought in to his Christmas gifts. We would sit around, pull each gift out of the box and laugh as they were opened. One year he gave the kids baseball hats with animals attached to them ( skunks, monkeys, elephants). They were worn for many years! I recieved an amazing can of "Oregon Air" which I am hoping has gone up in value. And of course the "pears"... So delicious. 

There was the year Uncle David and Uncle John came to visit and we celebrated a night out on the "Spirit of Boston". We ate, drank, told many stories and danced the night away. Everyone on the boat could tell we were celebrating a wonderful occassion. The smile on my mother's face was priceless. She was with her two brothers; a dream come true. It was truly a night of love and family. I will cherish that night forever! 

When my mother failing health was getting the best of her, Uncle David flew out and sat by her side. He was there for all of us. Again with stories of their life growing up in Arlington. He loved to just sit and talk about life with any of us that would listen. In the mist of all that was going on, I got a call that my cat had been injured, and without hesitation, Uncle David said, have your daughter bring him to the vet and I will pay for his care. He was so giving and caring. 

As I sit here today, I am with a heavy heart. Wishing I could speak to him one last time... to tell him he was so loved and such an inspiration to me and all five of my children. 

Rest in Peace Uncle David. Forever Loved,

Judy