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A Daughter's Remembrance: The Gemstones of Our Years
MSNBC/Newsweek ^ | June 14, 2004 issue | Patti Davis

Posted on 06/07/2004 5:35:34 PM PDT by Howlin

The house I grew up in had large plate-glass windows, which birds frequently crashed into headfirst. My father helped me assemble a bird hospital, consisting of a few shoe boxes, some old rags and tiny dishes for water and food. When I lost my first patient, when the tiny gray creature died in my hands without ever eating any of the Cheerios I'd provided for it, my father patiently explained to me that the bird was free now, flying happily through the blue breezes of heaven, where there are no hazards such as windows. I was locked into his eyes, locked into the story. My father was always more accessible when he was teaching his children through stories.

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Thirty-five years later, I would walk beside him along the beach, after he had already begun slipping into the shadows of Alzheimer's. A dark thief, it steals portions of a person, leaves remnants behind. He looked up at a flock of seagulls soaring overhead and his eyes followed them, shining with something I couldn't decipher, but which I interpreted as longing.

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: California; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: alzheimers; death; family; pattidavis; reagan; ronaldreagan
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To: Howlin

Between the playing of Hail to the Chief and this article I'm just one big tear.


21 posted on 06/07/2004 6:11:26 PM PDT by hobson
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To: Howlin
It took me nearly four decades to allow my father his shadows, his reserve, to sit silently with him and not clamor for something more.

I too was four decades gone before becoming the prodigal son and making peace with my father.

It's a new type of peace and a new type of love that is hard to describe...so satisfying, and yet, so bittersweet that it was so long in coming.

It is a love that is as aching as that for your first sweetheart, but maybe even more desperate because, instead of a limitless future, you know that in this, there will be an ending.

Patti, thank you for this rememberance....and don't worry darling, you made it home.

22 posted on 06/07/2004 6:14:01 PM PDT by eddie willers
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To: Howlin

What a wonderful tribute to her father.....she calls him a "shy man" and that makes me think his introspective nature (often a trait of shy people) was part of the reason he could be the giant (in ideas and motivations) he was.


23 posted on 06/07/2004 6:15:00 PM PDT by goodnesswins (Countries around the world are ALIENATING ME...an American!)
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To: mystery-ak

I heard the other day that Patti reconciled with her mother and father just a few months before he made the Alzheimers announcement in 1994.


24 posted on 06/07/2004 6:17:42 PM PDT by mountaineer
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To: Howlin

Thanks for sharing this, Howlin. It's been 10 years that she's had a reunion with her parents. Better late than not at all.


25 posted on 06/07/2004 6:18:24 PM PDT by Gracey (NOT Fonda Kerry and his 9.10 Democrat Party mentality)
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To: onyx

Each of President Reagan's children have commented on his zone of privacy. He shared himself unselfishly w/so many, yet reserved a small part for selfhood too. Nancy probably came as close as anyone to sharing that zone.


26 posted on 06/07/2004 6:21:55 PM PDT by Carolinamom
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To: Carolinamom

I think he and Nancy were so close,
that death will not part them.


27 posted on 06/07/2004 6:24:51 PM PDT by onyx
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To: Howlin

BTTT


28 posted on 06/07/2004 6:29:33 PM PDT by Fiddlstix (This Tagline for sale. (Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: Howlin
Time taught me to appreciate a distant father

He was never very far from you Patty ... It's just how his generation was. My mother was much the say way, not one for being big on hugging, but I always new she loved me and was never very far when I needed her.

I am happy you could figure it out before it was to late .. and Thank you for sharing him with the rest of the World.

We are all blessed to have had him in our lives

29 posted on 06/07/2004 6:58:00 PM PDT by Mo1 (Make Michael Moore cry.... DONATE MONTHLY!!!)
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To: Howlin

Thanks, Howlin. That is beautiful indeed.


30 posted on 06/07/2004 7:05:14 PM PDT by altura
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To: Howlin

Thanks.......she is very good. Dad would be very proud of her.


31 posted on 06/07/2004 7:26:28 PM PDT by Gator113
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To: Freee-dame

Dont miss this article.


32 posted on 06/07/2004 7:28:42 PM PDT by maica (Member of Republican Attack Machine, RAM, previously known as the VRWC)
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To: Howlin
Very touching. I have always had special thoughts for Patti. She's sort of like the prodigal child, but only in a way. Isn't funny how liberals generally produce children who are carbon copy robots of their own ideas, but conservatives produce kids that think freely for themselves, who generally come to realize the truth on their own.

We are going to be hearing more from Patti. We may not always agree with her, but I think she will be writing and speaking from the heart. If anyone can communicate with her, tell he her dad wants her to be true to her calling, but I bet she already knows that.

Gob bless you Patti, and all your family.

33 posted on 06/07/2004 7:45:23 PM PDT by feedback doctor (Mr. Chairman, this is my microphone!)
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To: Howlin

A daughter grows up and "gets it".


34 posted on 06/07/2004 8:21:29 PM PDT by Peach (The Clintons pardoned more terrorists than they ever captured or killed.)
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To: Howlin
This is a wonderful article, IMO.

I agree, Howlin. Thanks so much for the ping.

35 posted on 06/07/2004 9:39:28 PM PDT by nutmeg (God bless President Ronald Reagan)
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To: StarFan; Dutchy; alisasny; BobFromNJ; BUNNY2003; Cacique; Clemenza; Coleus; cyborg; DKNY; ...
ping

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

36 posted on 06/07/2004 9:41:45 PM PDT by nutmeg (God bless President Ronald Reagan)
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To: Sunshine55
A dark thief, it steals portions of a person, leaves remnants behind

I remember visiting my dad in his final months, hoping he would recognize me. When he did it only took a minute or so to zone out. There is no explaining that feeling of being in the picture one minute and gone the next..

37 posted on 06/07/2004 9:57:01 PM PDT by oyez (¡Desea vivo el revolutuin de Reagan!)
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To: Howlin

WOW! Outstanding! The love that connects us all.


38 posted on 06/07/2004 10:13:45 PM PDT by PGalt
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To: Howlin
"Some hearts just die...
Some hearts just mend...
But some hearts
can fall in love, again..."

I'm glad she and her Dad became friends again...............FRegards
39 posted on 06/07/2004 10:17:22 PM PDT by gonzo (God bless Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, their children, and the USA. We were lucky to have them!.....)
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To: oyez
"...When he did it only took a minute or so to zone out. There is no explaining that feeling of being in the picture one minute and gone the next..."

I know the feeling, amigo. I visited my Dad (he's 91) last winter four days in-a-row. He recognized me most times, but then, it was like a light switch being turned-off.

Stay well, pal.............FRegards

40 posted on 06/07/2004 10:35:25 PM PDT by gonzo (God bless Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, their children, and the USA. We were lucky to have them!.....)
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