MK forum

Thanks for sharing your story, Rob. Horrible abuse, and tender, genuine love. Very moving, and I hope you will keep sharing with us. We care.

Since we're sharing happy thots, I'll add one.
Dean Samuels sticks in my mind as a man of kindness. Can't remember anything he really did except be gentle. Even his ruler slaps on the hand during math to stop my chatting were done with a smile.
Really, it doesn't take much to be nice, does it?

My favorite class was always Art. Added to that, at Via I remember Art Class - the Art room even - as a "safe" place - a haven, esp. when I was 6 and 7. My Art teacher was so kind. U. Jack & A. Babs are still very dear to me, such a generous, wonderfully hospitable couple - I still call them "uncle" and "aunt" after all!

I agree, Highlander, Dean Samuels was an execptional man. The entire Samuels family was exceptional in their unique caring way, Dean, Kata, Phil, and Ladi will always hold a special place in my heart for their caring and accepting way.

There is one other family that seemed to really care for us kids and that was the Kulps. I remember Ben Kulp and Dean Samuels going down to the river with us kids because we couldn't get any other adults to come and we had to have 2 adults. I'm not sure that they could even swim but they met the rule requirements being adults.
Ben always seemed to be doing some project for the kids, motorcycle trails, swimming, hiking, gumiing down the river, the rope swing.

George and Molly Burnham are two of the best people I have ever met in my whole life. Their kindness even extended a few years after they and my own family had left Senegal, when I stayed with them for a time in England. I remember their children fondly as well, especially Rupert, who always shared my quirky sense of humor. I loved reading your story, Rob - thanks for sharing it.