Sometimes an otherwise healthy person loses his/her essence. Like a brightly colored balloon windswept from the grasp of a child, gaining distance, its hue fades. Appearing then disappearing through the clouds, it gets increasingly harder to recognize. Soon, it seems gone.

Roughly six months ago I wrote a post about Mae, a woman with Alzheimer's Disease. I have never met her, but it was her daughter's Facebook post about her that piqued my curiosity and needed sharing. Today I am compelled to write another post about the same topic, only this time it honors someone I've known for almost 40 years. Allow me to tell you about this amazing man; if you never met him, you will wish you had. To have known his friendship, well that would have put you into an entirely different place- in both your heart and his.

Uncle Donald was tall, slender, and distinguished-looking, but it was his eager smile, genuine kindness and softness of soul that endeared him. I vividly remember my first conversation with him; it was anything but superficial because Donald wasn't capable of insincerity. When you spoke with him, he listened intently. I looked up to him, but never felt he was looking down on me. I saw him as the ultimate gentleman. I believe everyone else did, too.

Only recently I learned that Uncle Donald graduated first in his class at an Ivy League law school. While his success in life stemmed from an unequivocal humility that prevented him from boasting, nothing ever stood in the way of Uncle Donald's emptying not one, but both of his pockets to those in need.

His generosity and integrity were the foundations from which everything in his life stemmed.

The ultimate husband and dad, Uncle Don set the bar high. In fact, he frequently raised his own bar even higher! An excellent example to his three sons, he wanted them to make a difference, not just for themselves but those around them. Two of them did. Sadly, his middle son died in his early 20's. Incredibly Uncle Don and his beloved wife somehow overcame their grief, at least in public, never conceding their loss to anger or bitterness. They continued to volunteer, spent time with their grandchildren and traveled the world.

Had you met this gentle, docile man, you'd never have forgotten him. He had a sharp memory, and wouldn't forget you either; until last year. Initially, there were occasional memory lapses; soon Uncle Donald lost recollection of friends he and his wife had known for 50 years. This incredible man, exceptionally revered attorney, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many began to fade. His sweet smile remained constant, yet his brilliant mind drifted away. Though little lasted in the semblance of who Uncle Donald was and what he had become, he continued to be the complacent, gentle soul our hearts always cherished.

We will always treasure the tremendous blessing Uncle Donald was to so many. The same part of him that loved with a full heart, gave generously to those he didn't know, and diligently made this world a better place, has journeyed on to join his son in heaven. Although his smile is but a memory, by no means is this "goodbye."

You see, "Goodbye" implies gone. Uncle Donald left a legacy far too tremendous to end with his passing.

"So long" seems more fitting. Throughout Uncle Donald's life, and despite the loss of a child, he was the teacher who shared so many lessons we all stood to learn:

For so long he loved unconditionally without limit or abandon.

For so long he showed us how to bow with grace to the ravages of Alzheimers Disease, without anger or resentment.

For so long we wanted to believe that while his disease progressed, he wasn't nearing the end.

For so long Uncle Donald's lifelong lessons will live on, even through those who never knew him. We can steadfastly become all he embraced while honoring all he was and will be, in others.

So long, Donald. You will be eternally missed and loved. For so long...