Casey and Big Poppa

Don always had a special connection with his first grandson, Casey.  I think the two of them shared several endearing traits, including their economy of words. ♥   Don  was a quiet man but not in an isolated way; he was friendly and easy to talk to.  He was also an interested and patient listener; something that’s required if you want to understand what Casey (a man of few words) has to say.

Don was a teacher for over 30 years, so I suppose that could explain his ability to connect with Casey.  But more than that, he was a big man with an even bigger heart.  He had a quiet kindness about him that is hard to describe, but I’ll bet you hear many people speak of it when remembering Don.

Even in the past few years, when Alzheimer’s put a wall up that made it difficult to communicate with Don,  I noticed that he always responded to Casey!  Once, when Scott and I were sitting with him at dinner, I wasn’t sure he knew who we were.  Casey walked up to the table.  Don’s face lit up, he grasped Casey’s hand and said “Hey, Casey! How ya doing?”  It was a little bit stunning, because I don’t think I had heard Don speak in nearly a year!  His affection for Casey even broke through the fog of Alzheimer’s.

Here are a few photos of Casey with his Big Poppa. I will be adding more to this little gallery as I come across more photos.

5 replies
  1. Kathey Benoit
    Kathey Benoit says:

    Gladly, I was just sitting here trying to decide which piece was my favorite,when it occurred to me that I have used the same coffee mug every day for about 25 years, Don’s of course.

  2. Mimi
    Mimi says:

    Hi Kathey, thank you for the nice comment. That is remarkable that your mom responded to kids in the same way that Don did to Casey! It must have been wonderful to hear your Mom’s voice again.

    I love Don’s pottery too! It has such an earthy quality to it. I want to add a photo gallery to this site, featuring Dons work. Hope you will add a few pics of your favorite Don McIntosh pottery pieces!
    Mimi

  3. maryhaddad
    maryhaddad says:

    A special bond between Don and Casey and
    a sweet memory of Don connecting with him as well.
    Thank you Mimi.

  4. Kathey Benoit
    Kathey Benoit says:

    How touching, there is something about Grandsons When My Mom quit talking, I was visiting her with Blair and Trent ( Daleanne’s boys) and even though I hadn’t heard her voice in over a year, she started up a conversation with the boys. There is something about Grandsons, isn’t there. And my entire kitchen is still based on Don Mc’s bowls.

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *