Vignettes

Recollections of Jackie Beall by Bob Beall, Jan 2003:

‘As I walked through my back yard I noticed how some flowers needed sun shine and others sought out shade. Each one grew to it's own fruition regardless of their location but some seemed to fight for the heat of the sun. So it was in my family. A family of Five: Ross, Beverly, Don. Jackie and myself  My older brother (by three years) named Jackie always sat back and took things in. He was an active part of the family but reserved. He was soft spoken and very contemplative. And most important was his sweetness that made one feel warm as he entered the room with his perennial smile. I was just the opposite, an outspoken attention hungry little brother who was more interested in attention than listening to the feelings of others. Jackie was the listener, unassuming and always there to help all of us but especially me... through accidents, hurt feelings and with his quiet love he gave me strength beyond my understanding as a six year old. He was the kid who would play in the corner and smile at others who jumped up and down in the middle of the room. I didn't know how strong he was until he was diagnosed with Leukemia at age nine. As I cried, he called me into his bed room and said "everything will be OK". As a six year old I knew things were bad and wouldn't be OK because all my family brothers, sister, mother and father, uncles and aunts cried in the shadows of the hallways and rooms of our home. They sobbed about Jackie's fatal illness. Our loyal family dog, Major, would sneak into Jackie's room and hide under his bed. He, Major, howled for weeks every night after Jackie's death. Jackie was consumed by his illness and died within four weeks of his diagnosis and was buried on or about Mothers day 1942. In his Funeral Book, Cherished Memories, only the names of attendees who signed in, mark the pages of that tragic day. In going through family photos with my niece, Kathy Frehner, I found numerous photos of the grave site at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Hayward California. He is surrounded by family including his mother Rita and father Ross Beall. For his brief moments on earth he was like that Beautiful Flower that blooms in the shade. His Perennial Blossom continues in my heart and mind today. We see him in family movies playing with his "Texan Cap Guns", the little grey Lionel engine, and wearing his Army Air Corp suite at Easter. The one he was buried in. Vivid pictures in my minds eye. After reading this little love letter about my brother Jackie, I hope you can carry see him and keep him in your heart too. Love Brother Bob'