Daws Butler (continued)

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He had given me some feedback about one of my first novelettes that I had written. I sent him a story about a girl named Griselda Gilders. It was somewhat like the story which inspired the movie, Carrie, though I had never seen that film when I wrote the story.

Though what Daws had to say, about my first creative effort, was not exactly flattering, coming from him I knew that he meant well. I also respected him as an adult, 43 years my senior, that he should know what he was talking about. His letter was still quite kind, despite the fact that he said that my first effort was a "mish-mash". I told Daws that my mother had agreed with some of the things that he had told me and he laughed and said, "Smart Lady!".

That was the first and last time that I ever talked to Daws. How I wish that I had taken advantage of that time to make it a much more meaningful chat.......and that I would have really let him know how grateful I was to him, for his friendship and unselfish generosity.

I do not know everything about Daws, of course, but, one of his interviews seemed to point to the fact that he was a Christian. I read a quote from this interview in which he said, "Well God gave me this talent that I have......I have to give Him credit for that.......I did take it, however, and mold it and use it......." (I am paraphrasing here).

In his nearly hour-long taped letter to me, he seemed elated, and very happy, by the end of the tape. It seemed that the opportunity to communicate with me was truly a joyous and fun experience for him. He then flattered me, very much, when he pointedly said: "I'd like you to write to me again!". How very happy I was to hear him say that.

He ended his letter saying: "So for now, this is your friend, Daws Butler, signing off !!.......". I was only fourteen years old, at the time. When he said the words "your friend, Daws Butler", my mind flashed back to all the times that I had seen the name "Daws Butler" in the credits of animated cartoons........for years I had seen his name, here and there.......But that March 1974 day, Daws Butler was a lot more than just a name.......or a credit.........or a voice........He was now a man, extending a hand of kindness, toward me, and calling himself "my friend". How incredibly honored I felt, at that time, to be worthy of being considered his friend.........me, this fourteen-year-old boy, who came out of nowhere........

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