's MOTD 7/11/2006

[Guest guest]

's Daily Message

Tuesday

July 11, 2006

MR. MANALE

For as long as I can remember, Mr. Manale was in my life. When my

parents moved to New Orleans, he was one of the first persons they met. He

worked in the bank where they went to open an account. When met

Shirley, it was friendship at first sight! He just adored her, and the

feeling was mutual!

When I was just a kid, I remember coming over to the house and having

dinner. He always had such style, sort of like a Cary Grant. He knew my

parents didn`t have that much money, and when he came over, he would bring

presents for all of us. He sort of adopted us as his family!

One day he asked us all to go to Lake Pontchartrain for lunch and sun. My

father hated the sun, but my mother worshipped it. would give Shirley

money for a cab and money to stop at McKenzie`s for fried chicken dinners.

When we got to the beach, he already had the umbrellas and bath towels

ready. It was a memorable time of my childhood.

Over the years, I`ve always stayed close to , and every time I went to

New Orleans to visit, always sat at my left at Arnaud`s Restaurant.

The last time I was there, brought an envelope for me. Inside was a

picture of himself, my mom, Lenny, and me at the beach. I remember he

started to cry and told me how much he missed Shirley, and that one day, he

was going to be with Shirley again. He hugged me and told me how proud he

was of me.

I`m going to New Orleans later this month to visit with Lenny and , and

of course, I wanted to be there, too, but he won`t be. My brother just

called to tell me that at the age of 81, Mr. Manale passed away in his

sleep. I`m so torn apart right now. I`ve lost a great man and a great friend

in my life.

It was an honor knowing you, Mr. Manale, and you, like Shirley, will always

be in my heart.

Love,