To Our Friend
Jim Kitson
El Diablo!
A collection of great memories.
If you have more to share-
photos, stories, lies
-send it to me here
Listen, with as intense an expression of attention as you can command, to the official statement of the character and history of the person in whose honor the entertainment is given; and if these statistics should seem to fail to tally with the facts, in places, do not nudge your neighbor, or press your foot upon his toes, or manifest by any other sign, your awareness that taffy is being distributed.
Mark Twain
The first time I met Jim was on our way to
Mexico on the "honeymoon".
I was to meet Juan's American brother and family. I didn't know what to
expect ( this was '64). And there was Jim. Bright golden blond in a
blue plaid, polyester sports jacket, so typically California. A big
broad smile and the obvious love that Jim and his family had for Juan
and the acceptance of me, as his new wife.
Later, on a trip to Calif. at Thanksgiving, Jim roasted a turkey in the
barbeque. I was sure it wouldn't work. Whoa!! was that delicious!! He
proved me wrong. Many good meals with Jim and Sue and glasses of wine.
And lots of
laughs. San Francisco just meant Jim and Sue for us. Jim
scared the living stuffing out of my kids and me with some driving down San
Fran's streets and curvy streets in the ole Van. Oh!! did he
laugh as he stalled on the top of some hill and then let it go down the
other side.
Sharon Aguilar
Hi Sue,
Attached is the picture as promised. It has been on our fridge since Jim sent it in a Christmas card several years (6? 7?) ago. It is a fabulous picture of the two of you and as I said has held a place on our fridge for years.
I am looking forward to the site where I can view some of Jim's life. It was 1976 when I met him. Val had just left Peter and moved to SF, Kristen was 3 or 4 maybe, and in Jim's inimitable fashion he took on the role of fatherhood with much love and generosity. My husband at the time, John, and I spent a few Christmases in SF with them and I visited alone regularly - 3+ times a year.
But Jim remained constant and finally found the great love of his life. The Christmas cards, occasional phone calls and subsequent emails came from a very happy and finally contented man. I must say that I have never met anyone who had such a thirst for life and a genuine curiosity that put everyone at ease and made them feel that he was truly interested in their path. A gift. But you were his greatest gift. No question. Like minds in many ways and ying and yang in others. Truly complimentary.
I am sorry that I haven't connected in the past few years. Regardless I always felt that we had a special friendship that could transcend a few years without communicating. We always seemed to pick up where we left off - with a drink and a few laughs and lots of memories.
And without sounding trite - I hope that's what will sustain you now.
Lesslie
Jim
and Sue came back east in 2007 to visit our family and we took these
photos of the fun times we had together! Jim and Sue have been good
friends of ours for 20+ years and Karen and Sue are cousins. Our two
girls, Dorothy and Mary were introduced to Jim and Sue when we visited
Karen
and Bart Austin
-I was thinking of Jim
yesterday as I was shaving with the antique Wostenholm straight-razor he gave
me. I am grateful to for his presence in my life and I wish I could have
gotten to know him better. Sara and I will be doing an Ofrenda for Jim
tomorrow night.
-Among my Metis ancestors we say that the departed ones are not memories, they
are presences. We think of them at odd times, when we hear a cat purr, or
a certain person's laugh or the sound of tires on a rain-slick street.
They come to us unbidden, but they belong with us and their presence is felt
most keenly by those who knew them best.
-Megwich (Thanks)
Grant & Sara
