Tao Etpison

Dear Tao kido,

You graced me with the first insight into the thing I love the most - parenthood.

It was 1990 when we first met, and I moved in. Suzanne repatriated as a young divorced single mom, and went to law school. I join this amazing, Tao and Suzanne duo, as an au pair to the charmer and intelligent 4 years old Tao.

It was love at first sight. Relaxed mornings in which we rode the bicycle to kindergarten, chatting and singing along the way. The joy of reading you your favorite bedtime story about dinosaurs. And you patiently taught me how to pronounce the names of each and every dinosaur you knew and loved.
The smart kido who was asked not to throw the frisbee in the living room, did not blink,walked out past the front door, and sent the frisbee flying into the living room TV. Clarifying he was not throwing the Frisbee from within the living room.

This morning when I heard the painful fact that you have left us, I walked to the ravine by our building in Tel Aviv, and howled into the slowly rising sun and the coyotes around, just like you and I used to.

My last vivid memory is your visit to Israel with Suzanne, to attend Tamar and my wedding, 26 years ago.
We saw a charismatic teenager mastering the diablo and social interactions.

Your wonderful soul embedded an amazing mix of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, from Jewish European, to Native American and Pacific Islander. And as you left us you made sure others are left with us living life to the fullest thanks to your organs.

I love you, miss you and hope we reconnect and catch up in the future.

Avishai B. Chelouche