Born To Teach Us Love In So Many Ways

I write about people who touch my life. None of them is as personal as my dear friend Elliott who passed away last month. Thirty-five years ago, my husband Dennis and I became best friends with Elliott and his wife, Shula. Our family bond strengthened as our sons grew up together sharing a passion for filmmaking.

Elliott was a great thinker and a terrific special needs teacher. Elliott always went above and beyond the requirements of the official curriculum. With a heart filled with love and compassion, he knew that it was up to him to expose the children to the world of culture. While teaching from books is important, he knew that nothing teaches children like hands-on experiences. To the sound of classical music he stimulated his students’ curiosities to scientific projects in a fun atmosphere. They all loved him and his positive attitude.
Elliott was also a trivia buff. I remember a time when we played Trivia and the question was “How much does the earth weigh?” Elliott needed to know “Is it with people or without people?” Who on earth would even weigh those possibilities?
Throughout their forty-three years of marriage, Elliott and Shula enjoyed traveling together to many places, from Alaska to Costa Rica to Machu Pichu. As two educators, they also shared a great passion for books. They instilled that love in their sons and grandchildren as well. When Elliott’s health deteriorated they would go to faraway places only through their readings to each other.
At the end of his life Elliott gave the ultimate gift. He donated his body to scientific research. Even after his death, he will continue to give. No need to be a scientist to know that his brain and his astonishing knowledge were amazing, but no doubt they will discover that he also had the biggest heart.
My family and I will miss Elliott as he was a one-of-a-kind friend, brother, husband, father and grandfather. The world lost a beautiful soul and a wonderful man. Mostly, Elliott was a teacher who taught by example. He taught us how to spread love each moment of our lives and beyond. Sadly, Bonaparte, his poodle that gave him so much joy, joined Elliott. He passed away a week after Elliott.
Rest in peace, my friend. We will always remember your sweet smile and kind spirit. As Elliott wrote in The Wisdom Book, “You only have one chance at life. Don’t waste it.” Elliott sure didn’t.