Entry 6 - Remembering Mr. T

Taken from Amy's blog.

Sarah’s dad was known as Al by most but Mr. T to me. I think most of you remember Mr. T, the 1980s icon who “pittied the fool.” Mr. T on TV was big and burly however, I thought the name would fit Sarah’s dad well, who was quite the opposite- tall and lanky.

Having know Sarah for nearly 18 years, over the years, I grew close to her family. Her parents had always taken time to get to know their daughter’s friends and better yet you could tell that they enjoyed having us over. Mr. T would always find a reason to go into Sarah’s room when she had friends over just to talk to us and crack a few jokes, that was Mr. T.

On the contrary, Mr. T had a very intellectual side. If you walked into the house and looked to the left, the books shelves were filled with all his books. I’m sure he read every last one. In writing this, I think I know where Sarah gets her passion for learning. I recall, riding my bike to Sarah’s house (in the days before having a driver’s license), I noticed an unfamiliar face in the Tyberg house. Mr. T had invited a Jehovah’s Witness who was visiting door to door to discuss theology. Who does that?! Only Mr. T.

I have always considered Sarah’s family to be my family. Not many people can say they have eaten lunch with their friend’s parents, went on vacation with their friend’s family, went to work with their friend’s father, and even knew their friend’s extended family and went to their grandfather’s 2nd wedding. To not fly home to pay my respects to a man would I would consider to be like a second father was out of the question. That's how much Mr. T and Rose mean to me.
Some say it's being a mensch, but that's just how I am. I've always considered family and friends to be the two most important things in my life. For me the Tybergs represent both.

I am thankful for the years I did get to know Mr. T, however saddened that he had to leave so soon. I know his pain and suffering is over now. The healing process is long but the Tybergs are a close family who I know will find comfort in each other and Judaism to get them through.

I have composed a few of my fondest memories of Mr. T

1. Mr T. building Sarah’s jungle gym which up until college we still used (even though a piece of wood fell on his head when he built it, he kept building)
2. The greeting I got when I walked through the door “Why Amy!!”
3. Lighting Chanukah candles with the Tybergs
4. The sound of Kiddush on Friday nights
5. Picking up the cats even though they didn't want to be bothered. He loved them so much and I guess found enjoyment in tormenting them!
6. Having lunch with Mr. T and Rose while waiting for Sarah to come home from college
7. His obsession with rubbing alcohol. I was klutzy and alcohol was the solution to any crape or bruise
8. The priceless pouty look on his face when he retired. He wanted to go back to work so badly
9. Spending the day with Sarah and Mr. T at his work…we got to wear goggles and he bought us hot chocolate from the vending machine
10. The many times we got lost driving to our yearly trip to Manasquan Beach…well actually all the times we got lost

Mr. T, you will be surely missed!!

-Amy
June 30th, 2008