TATA
( Aunt )
Danielle Bensimhon
66
My parents are my angels . They were unselfish , giving , fun , and tolerant . They let us do what we wanted in life . I moved to the States in 1975 . I was 24 years old , and although I left my parents , they were letting me do what I wanted . My favorite memory of them was when we moved to Senegal . We arrived by boat . My father was waiting for us on the pier . On the boat was my mom and their 6 children , including me . My father was dressed like a colonialist , with a white hat , white shorts , and white knee-high socks . He came with flowers and exotic fruit . We came down off the boat and felt like princes and princesses .
Today , I miss their warmth and care and love . The anticipation of their love was very fulfilling and rich . They didn ’ t expect anything from us , but we expected a lot from them , and they gave it . I used to take my children to France about once a year during summer vacation . My father always waited at the airport or downstairs at the apartment building for hours until we showed up .
My brother , Charlie , is also my angel . I miss his tolerance . He was very open . He was dry , but loving in his way . Through his eyes you could tell whether he approved or disapproved . He was smart and self-taught – a philosopher . We would see each other in the car and we would lower the window and blow the horn and greet each other . I miss that . My favorite memory of him came in May of 1968 . I was in boarding school in Paris , and there was a student revolution . All the students were out in the streets . It was a good revolution , but of course , the police were trying to get everyone out with tear gas bombs . There was no metro , no bus , no taxi . Everything in Paris was paralyzed . I called Charlie and said , “ I need to get out of here .” I hated Paris , and I wanted to go back to the south of France . He said , “ Okay , wait for me .” Then he came .
He hitchhiked in a flower truck and came to pick me up . He drove me to the Plaza of Elysées . There was one bus going to Nice . It was very dangerous . When we got there , there was only one seat on the bus . I fought my way through everyone , got the seat , and went back to Nice . Thanks to him , I got to avoid the whole revolution .
When you lose somebody , you want to know they are still with you . You want to know they are present . Even though they are gone , you want to make sure they accompany you through life . So , you carry them on your shoulder . You don ' t bury someone and forget about them . That ’ s why my parents and my brother are my angels . They are with me every day .