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An Extraordinary Familial Coincidence

Leslie Taylor

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My ex-husband, Adam, and I met in San Francisco in the 1980s. Very soon after, I learned my Uncle Darrell, my father’s brother in Portland, Oregon, whom I had not had contact with since I was a child when he lived in Marin County, California, was planning a visit to California to catch up with relations.

His wife called me asking if I would contact my siblings and we could all meet in San Francisco for lunch with him and his wife, two sons and their families. I was happy to do so, made the arrangements, and we all had a fine time, including Adam who joined us. When nearly finished visiting, my uncle inquired about my artistic endeavors, knowing I had acquired my artistic talent genetically (my father and his father had the same natural talent). I suggested he and his wife, along with Adam and I, go to my apartment and he could view some of my works.

The four of us got into a cab and once we entered the apartment lobby, Uncle Darrell became noticeably still and quiet. I asked him what was wrong. He said he had lived in the very same apartment building when he was a young man; where Dashiell Hammett lived when he wrote his famous detective novel, The Maltese Falcon.

He added that he would frequent The Chelsea Bar just down the street, known for being featured in the novel. Before Darrell and his wife departed, he turned to Adam and said, “Now you take care of her,” which he did and for many years up to this very day (though we are no longer married). I later learned that Uncle Darrell was not well and had not long to live.

This is reported, along with images of my oil paintings (see “The Musical Path” accompanying this post) on my website www.miraclesforall.com.

Naomi Seedberg

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My dad didn't talk about the War. But on Thanksgiving 1968, we were at Mom’s ...

Leslie Taylor

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