When I was a child, I looked forward to being around my Uncle Don. He always had a story to tell, his crushing hand grip amazed me, and he could do a handstand and then walk on his hands! The family parties in his basement were rollicking affairs especially when Don would start playing the piano for us. He really knew how to have a good time.
Don started using an 8mm camera to take video of our family parties when I was a teenager. Man, that was the best, and I played up to the camera. I still cringe watching some of my antics as a twelve-year old, but it's great to be able to look back on those times.
As an adult, I found that Don was one of the smartest and hardest working people I ever met. I loved hearing his stories of the Mayer family and learned so much about my heritage. I will miss his smile and his laugh.
My vision of heaven is Don and Charles (my father) playing a duet on the piano with Mary belting out the lyrics. All the cousins who have gone before me (David, Mike, Todd, Dianne, Eric) are clapping along with them.
Thanks for all the memories.
-Mark Mayer