I was 18 years old when I met Lester. It was at Lynda and Amys apartment in Somerville. He was sitting in "his" chair with a cup of coffee, cigarete and his nursing books. He was studding for his exam. I loved him from the start. He made me laugh and made me feel like I belonged. He didn't care what you were as long as you were real. He tought me how to play S&M. We would all stay up all night smoking and playing cards. Oh can't forget the coffee. Speaking of coffee, one of our favorit places to go was Zabazoo's. I still have one coffee mug that he gave me for my birthday one year. Lester shared a very special moment with me. He married me and my husband. Not only was he a very special friend, he interdused me to my now husband. If it wasn't for him, I would never have met John and I wouldn't have my 2 wonderful kids. There are so many memories. So many wonderful memories. Lester was a very big part of my life and I shall treasure it always. Lester take care of my Grendle and say Hi to Krissy for me. Rest in peace my dear friend.
My daughter Olivia met Lester at an all-night Denny's when we moved to NJ in the early 1980s. There was a group of folks who met there to talk, drink coffee, and create drama. Olivia eventually brought Lester to our place to stay a few days. He came with glasses frames taped together in a creatively nerdish way. They kept falling apart, so I bought him new frames. He made us borscht and babka. Do you know that borscht brings on perma-joy, as well as pink pee? And, day-old slices of babka, reheated in a frying pan with butter is heaven. He gave me the recipes, but they never came out the way they did when he made them. But just remember, if you ever make borscht, you have to include lima beans.
When he was working at a group home, his charges called him "Essah" since they had a hard time saying "Lester." It was a perfect, soft, cuddly name for a cuddly guy. I named him the "Romantically Mad Russian" for another side of his personality.
I'm so glad that Olivia got to attend Lester and Bab's wedding. Wish I could have been there.
His death still isn't real to me. I can still hear his distinctive voice and see his Russian afro in all its changes. Sweet Essah!
Merry Christmas Henna
I was looking through pictures and found the ones from Christmas 2005. We were in Maine and there was snow on the ground. We were wearing our Santa hats and opening presents that were under our tree. I was drinking coffee and you were drinking a cup of tea. It was such a beautiful Christmas! We took pictures as we were being silly and laughing and singing christmas carols. We took one of our drives that we loved to take and just looked at all of the beauty around us. You would take me on drives at night to see all of the christmas lights you knew how much I loved to look at all the lights. I will hold on to last christmas and I will help me get through this one. Merry Christmas my love.
Babbs
Frank and I are so glad that we got to share in Lester seeing his first moose and then driving a few more miles and his experiencing his first bald eagle flying in the wind. And that eagle gave Lester a show. It was like he was there just for him.
Lester you will be so missed by both Frank and I and of course, Rascal will miss her "Uncle" Lester soooo much. She has noone to give her sloppy, wet kisses too now.
