Thursday, May 7, 2020
My condolences Barbara
Remembering Leon when I was a small kid were the stories of him in Korea. Cousin Leon was the first of many military men in our family that I could actually relate to because I personally seen him in his uniform. Since at the time most of our military relatives were veterans and told stories only from WWII. And that was equivalent to the Civil War to me at that time. Cousin Leon represented the new generation with his stories of time in Korea that made sense to me. Like his stories of the extremely low cost of custom made shoes in a still recovering country that was in the news and I could relate too. Then again, I remember the edgy and hysterical conversations Leon and my late brother Joe would have because they were near in age and they thought I was out of ear range.
But what sticks in my mind most of Leon was his easygoing and patience demeanor. Well over 60 years ago no one, not my mother, father, brother or either of my sisters had the time or the patience to teach me how to tie my own shoes. Then one day when cousin Leon stopped by our house on Silverside Road for a visit, he noticed me once again struggling to tie my shoes and giving up in frustration. Leon very patiently and carefully tough me after only 3 calmly directed lessons how to tie my own shoes. I was amazed at his guidance and calm instructions. Leon, unlike anyone in my family had the patience to teach dumb little Bernie a common but necessary procedure that has lasted my whole life through. Funny the things and tapestry of how people touch us that sticks in our mind for a life time.
Thank you Leon for teaching me how to tie my shoes when no one else could. And trust me nearly every time I tie my shoes I still think of you and your kindness. Rest in peace Leon and when I see you in heaven hopefully you can teach me how to tie up tomato plant, because I still have a problem with them like I did with my shoes.
Bernie Pankowski
