My friends, Rick and Dave, introduced me to Donnie many years ago. He stood just three foot six inches tall, but was a big man in my eyes. He was born with a congenital condition which prevented normal growth, but that didn't stop him from being “normal.” I met his parents only once before he died, but Donnie's parents had obviously raised him like any other child, teaching him to act nice, be polite, listen before talking, say yes and no “sir” and “thank you.” The people in the small town where Donnie lived treated him like a celebrity; he seemed to make them happy. He served on several town boards including serving as the treasurer for his small town's annual fair. He was consulted by everyone on taxes, because of his background in Accounting, and on caring for animals, as he raised several himself and it was a real interest of his. Everyone was happy when he was around. He also liked sports, and was a huge “Cubbie's” fan. Donnie, Rick, Dave, and I often went to Chicago when we visited with each other, to watch the Cubs play. If we were lucky, both the Cubs and White Sox were in town on the same day and we'd see them both. And if we were really lucky the Cubs would be playing the Cardinals, or Dave's favorite team the Dodgers, which made us even happier. When we met at Donnie's home, he was a genuinely wonderful host. He would make sure we were well fed and entertained. When we went out to eat, he'd show us the best places to dine. Every time we sat down to eat at a restaurant, the townsfolk would come up to him for extended conversations, always smiling and happy. Before I knew him well, I thought he was a politician because he knew and talked to everyone in town. In his mid-thirties some five years ago, he married Robin. She is a little person, too. And just like Donnie, she's the toast of the town. They were only married two years before he died unexpectedly, but she has often said that those two years were the happiest of her life because of him. I guess the same caring traits which made everyone happy to know him made him a good husband, as well. Not many have the ability to make others happy as Donnie did, but it was a lesson well learned to watch and appreciate his interaction with others. I have never seen a clearer example of why we must look at one's inner character rather than outer physical appearance when determining how big someone is. It seemed like the entire town showed up at his funeral. Many of his friends waited in line for over five hours to say goodbye. I didn't like it that he died so young, but I'm not sad. I am happy because I got to know him, even if our visit was too short. ### |
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