As Dino would sing:
“You’re nobody till someone loves you…
“You’re nobody till somebody cares…”
But of course we all mean something to somebody, our parents, our mates, or children, or friends.
In addition there are times we come across those that may or may not be related to us, but who for one reason or another make a lasting difference in our lives. It could be a teacher that saw something special in us, or a friend that was there when we needed a friend, or even someone we did not know well, but said something, did something, that made a lasting impression on our lives.
This column features tales about someone that made a difference…(Editor)
By Martha Mattox-Baker
Seymour I Misonznick (Sy) was a man to really be admired. He served as the President of the SHHH Chapter in Delray Beach Florida for several years. He was President the same year that I was President of the Columbus chapter. We shared many ideas the year that I was president. Sy served on the State Board of SHHH from what I remember. On SWC, he shared his knowledge of assistive listening devices. He had his "shop" where he put all the devices out for people to see. He was a strong advocate for those that are Hard of hearing (HOH). On SWC he answered questions that would come up on the FRIENDS list which was his home list. He also was on DHC and CI list for a while.
Sy was friends with all. I have learned even more since his death as I have received many private emails from people telling me how much Sy meant to them and how he was special and caring. With me, he shared his Jewish faith. I was very interested in learning all of this. After a while he started calling me his granddaughter and my daughter his great granddaughter. He would sign his emails to me "Your Zedah" -- which is the Jewish word for grandfather. We became like family which I was honored by. He was always sending me emails "How is my great
granddaughter doing?" (meaning my daughter). We both shared ups and downs. He was very proud of his family. He shared losing his daughter, Randi, to cancer with me but asked me not to say anything on the lists. After she died he shared with everyone about losing her. He was so proud of Randi. In the face of cancer she was busy helping others with cancer. There were so many people at her funeral. It took a couple months for things to settle down with Randi's affairs. Once he got home, he sent me a note about his brain tumor. I told him I would pray for it not to be serious. That was my last email I received from him. I truly thought he would beat the tumor and he would live. It was a shock when I received Curtis's email telling me he was dying from the tumor. It was only 2 months from the time he found out until his death.
I will not say goodbye to Sy but say "Shalom" which can mean "Until we meet again" or "Peace" or "Welcome Home." He shall live in our hearts forever.
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