January 25, 2014

Dear Sir,

Just before Christmas, I was walking along the South Shore looking to see if a favourite beach of mine had returned after some stormy weather.

I came across an elderly gentleman taking photographs of the beach and the surrounding area. We struck up a conversation.

He informed me that he was 90 years old had travelled from Iowa and had recently lost his wife.

He had decided not long afterwards that he would like to revisit some of their very favourite vacation spots and take photos so as to be able to reminisce. he wasn’t being in the slitest bit maudlin, he just wanted to relish the happy times and to remember.

He gathered together is brother (89) and sister in law also (89) and travelled to Bermuda where they hadn’t been since the early 80s.

Don is the most charming man you could ever hope to meet. I invited him and his bother and wife to come to my house for some “sundowners” as he put it. I had the most stimulating and interesting conversation that I have had in a long time.

I have enclosed the letter that he wrote to me when he returned to Iowa. It made me so happy and proud to hear how wonderfully well he had been welcomed and treated by all the Bermudians that he came across during their 10 day vacation. it is heart warming to know that the old Bermudian charm is still alive and well.

Don may not make it to Bermuda again. However he will be very content living the rest of his days on the memories from his last visit thanks to all those ambassadors to our fabulous island.

Sharleen Jones