Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Remembering My Brother (repost from Feb.2010)


Ronald Sulak
Cleveland, Ohio
(1940 - 1993)

My parent's first born, Ronald, would have been 72 years old today. Born in a leap year.
He was a lovely man and lived a beautiful life filled with dreams of becoming a policeman, owning a house, having a girlfriend and flying a plane. 
Among many interests, he adored dancing (with girls at weddings!), playing the harmonica, and having a good time. 

He had down's syndrome and always liked to draw.  He had a singular ability to distill an image down to its most elemental parts. 

Here are a few sweet images.
It's been a life-time without him already.

Portrait drawing Ronnie did of me. I faithfully traced the drawing as a monoprint which is why you see dark smudges.
I will scan the original drawing when I find it in my stuff.
circa 1989.

Ronnie like to copy his name onto paper. Here's an example written on an index card. Notice that he is missing the letter "D" in his 1st name and "L" in the last.
Ronald Sulak circa 1941.

12 comments:

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    1. He would have adored you! Thanks for commenting.

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  2. how precious to have his drawing of you to remember him by. i'm thinking one of the best kinds of immortality is living on in the heart of someone who loves you

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  3. look how far he came with just a pencil.

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    1. He was a gentle soul and had a light touch with a pencil.

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  4. i love his drawing and how you made it even more. both your and his shoulders are tilted the same way.

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  5. I remember your first post about your brother. What a blessing to have lived a life full of dreams, drawing, love of family and happiness! I am sending a hug for you on February 29th.

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    1. Thank you Diana! I feel your hug. You would have enjoyed Ronnie. He was a good man.

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  6. Thank you for sharing this celebration with us. One of my grandfathers was born on Feb. 29 and he loved to tell everyone "how young" he would always be because he only had a birthday every 4 years. Guess what, he was young.

    I love Ronald's art and the fact that his little sister loved him so much. xo, T

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  7. What a beautiful way to honor your brother, and share another part of your life with us.

    Andrea

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I always enjoy reading comments!