They came to us in the early fifties and remained until they became full-grown adults. This paper is about the older brother. He and his younger sibling were and are as different as apples and ground beef.
The one I write about was and remains essentially who he was, a technical problem solver of the first order. His abilities with electricity and related things like phones, etc., were beyond compare. Example: At Camp Shasta, we depended on our electric generator for five years before PG&E brought power to us (a story in itself), and this teenager managed our limited electric supply. He made sure we had it where we needed it and safely too.
Each Saturday evening, a group would be responsible for creating a party and events. A celebration of the weekend. Some were elaborate and remarkably creative and usually needed lighting and music. This teenager made it happen through his use and distribution of electricity. In the process, he often created temporary chaos. We may not have known what he was doing, but he did!
As an adult, he worked in the power industry in an executive position and, as you might guess, as a problem solver. Another unique and valued characteristic of his, although troublesome at times, was that he never gave up his voice. He had opinions and expressed them fully. He was and is his own self, sometimes challenging, to be sure, but always valued. People like him must have room to be themselves. Talent and creativity are gifts to be handled delicately.
I am me not you—I must be me at all costs—I honor you, too
I can make it work—Do not ask me how but ask—Let there be the light
Sy
