Shuann Chai
Dear Calvin,
Hello, my friend, it's Shuann Chai here, the pianist whom you met at many concerts during your years at Chester Village West. I was just about to write you a card and send a picture along of my 3-year old daughter, with some updates and news about life here in Holland, when I thought to look up your address online... I never thought that I would be reading your obituary instead.
My first thought went towards guilt- that I should have written you before Christmas, like I had planned to. All that running around before the holidays seems embarrassingly unimportant now.
I played at CVW last spring and very much missed seeing you and Ellen in the audience, and speaking with you both afterwards. And I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to stop by and play for you both in Needham after you had moved there....
I will miss your charming letters, your warm smile, and the numerous Dutch phrases you were so happy to converse in whenever we met. I'm so glad that my husband and my mother had the chance to meet you, too. Thank you for your friendship. It is a wonderful and enduring memory that I will carry of you.
With love,
Shuann Chai
To Ellen, and to your dear family, some of whom I had the brief pleasure of meeting- my greatest sympathy and condolences for your loss. I will be thinking of Calvin, and thinking of you all. Warmest greetings from the Netherlands...
Monday January 16, 2017 at 7:25 pm