Rick Weingart
I remember Jean and Troy like it was yesterday. Those two people were part of my first memories in life. Jean was my babysitter when I was 5 or 6 years old. I lived a few houses down from the Henson family on the same street. Our family moved away to California a few years later.I remember their daughters. Gail, (I think she was one year younger than me) and Sherry too. Sherry was a couple years older than me and already in school.I remember Jean's beautiful garden in the back and their white picket fence on the corner. I remember their house almost better than my own house.Since then, I've moved from Illinois and lived in many parts of the country. However, I like to reminisce of those early days in my *first* neighborhood, and I especially remember Jean and Troy.I was very fortunate to meet them once again 35 years later. I had only been back to Decatur once since my childhood. Troy was raking leaves. I introduced myself. I had asked Troy if this was his house and if he had lived here for more than 35 years. He said yes. (I only asked because I wasn't sure if this was the same guy from my early memories)He proudly said he had owned that house for MORE than 35 years. I shook his hand and we got to talk'n. ??Troy remember me and my name.He went in and got his wife.Jean came out and screamed RICKY!We all talked for about an hour as their grandchildren and the neighborhood kids ran here and there.Jean held my hand the whole time. She held my hand SO tight, I thought I would never get it back.We wrote letters back and forth a few times after that visit, and we exchanged pictures.I came across a letter from her today dated, October 2, 1999. It brought back good memories.I had to look them up on the net.Rest in Peace Jean and Troy. You were very good people, especially to me.Rick [email protected]