Marcel

Left to right John, his daughter, MARCEL, and John's other daughter.



There is a man not more than 5'7" tall, thin and the heart of a lion. He came into our lives because we believe God sent him.

In 1974, having recently lost my grandmother, I was going through some of my memorabilia and looked inside my father's old trunk. There was a little packet of letters tied together neatly with a purple and white ribbon. After opening several of the letters, it became apparent that these came to my father soon after he arrived back in the states, having been sent home wounded in battle at the Battle of the Bulge. The letters were post marked 1945 from Marcel Drugmand, Belgium.

My husband suggested I write to the address written on the letter and see if the man still lived there. I began the letter, "this is sent to you with a prayer that you might be the one to receive it." Several months passed and the mail came one day with a letter post marked Belgium. The letter began with the fact he had moved many years before down the street and the people living in his old home brought the letter to him. Later Marcel explained he had only one year of English and that he was deciphering my letter by a dictionary.

He and his wife Nelly had her father living with them. They never had children of their own. He told us about their friends, their lives and sent many photo's. The letters continued to come regularly and since Nelly knew no English, she would tell him things to write and Eddie would do the same, only from time to time Eddie added a few sentences to my letters and Nelly would do as well.

Nelly began to send our children little gifts at Easter, birthdays and other occasions and we in turn would send them presents at Christmas and birthdays. She always seem to choose such delightful gifts and we always looked forward to getting them. One Easter she sent them these huge eggs made of pressed cardboard and painted so beautifully on the outside and inside were candies. Then one Christmas I dared to make a dress for her. It was such a surprise to see that it actually fit her. She seemed so pleased. They were both so kind and our letters brought us together as a family. We seemed to fill the void of their having no children of their own. Marcel would call me his daughter. Our children became their grandchildren.

Marcel shared everything about their lives, their friends, their beliefs leaving nothing to imagine.
He sent many photos of his closest friends, which in the above photo is John, a boy hood friend. In his letters Marcel's friends became our friends. He made it so easy to know each of them through his loving eyes.

Then tragedy struck when Nelly's father went up into the attic and hung himself. they shared their grief and pain with us. Life was very difficult for them during this period of time.

In 1981 he wrote that Nelly had cancer. We watched through photos and listened through letters as she struggled with her illness and eventually the letter came in 1985 that she had passed away.

Marcel was naturally grief stricken, but he remained faithful to write.

We had quite a shock when the letter came and Marcel asked if he could come visit us. It would be difficult to express the emotions that went through our minds. Our largest concern was communication. We had never even thought of learning the French language. Our days filled with anticipation and preparation for his arrival.

He arrived at DFW airport. He had described what he would be wearing and of course we had the photos to actually know what he looked like. As always when your anticipating a passenger to deplane, he was one of the last out the door. I don't know which of us was more nervous he or us. He slowly walked out into our area and as he recognized us came and grabbed each of us in turn and kissed us on both cheeks.

We found our car and he climbed in the back seat chattering a hundred words a minute. It was amazing that we could understand him so well.

We had just sat down and as Eddie backed out of the parking space Marcel reached for my arm and said I have a gift for you. He clasped a large golden bracelet on my arm with shaking hands, that later we learned was real 18 carat gold. It sits in the safety deposit box even to this day. It was one he had bought for Nelly and he felt she would want their daughter to have it. We were shocked. The most expensive piece of jewelry I ever owned was the $100.00 pair of wedding rings that my husband had did without meals to purchase for me while he was in college.

We arrived home, all were exhausted emotionally and physically. We showed Marcel to his room but sleep was difficult for him because of the time difference.

Eddie worked 12 hour shifts, seven days on and seven days off. Therefore this left Marcel with Carol and I while he was working.

Marcel asked to see the Grand Canyon and he wanted to purchase the plane tickets for all of us to fly. This was a miracle in itself, because our finances did not cover plane tickets. Eddie had a few frequent flier miles from business trips, but not enough for a paid ticket at this time.

And then there was the issue of Carol and I had never flown before. Why I was scared out of my ever living mind. However, fly we did and life took on an entirely different turn.

Carol and Marcel took a small plane and flew through the canyon. Marcel was lifted to heights few ever reach and Carol was thrown to depths she never knew existed. Where was the bag as she rolled to the floor? She spent her time prostrate on a bed with her head and eyes covered with a wet wash cloth while Eddie, Marcel and I inhaled the beauty and splendor of the sight of the canyon. It was absolutely wonderful to watch him as he drank it all in.

He stayed with us for three months. We had a garden which had never before nor after looked the same as while he was with us. Each morning he was up at dawn and weeding the garden. A blade of grass nor weed dared not show their heads. Then he went to the flower beds and decided we needed some landscaping around the front and he built a border of bricks across the front of the yard edging the driveway.

Eddie taught him to drive our stick shift pickup. I stood and watched in horror as he loped toward the gate fearing the worst, however he jumped on through it and Eddie sat there cool as a cucumber with his arm out the window.

Next it was letting him drive the bulldozer. Oh good grief! I watched and imagined the entire barn being removed along with the door, but once again by the hair of his chinney chin chin he made it in and out like a pro (well maybe a drunk pro), but he made it. I do not recall ever having a dull moment.

Ramona and I took Marcel to Hodges Gardens in Louisiana and spent the day. I think had we known about the beautiful gardens in Europe we would never have thought to bother taking him there. However, as always he seemed excited and so very grateful to go.

His home has a sidewalk between the house and the street. His back yard is as wide as his house and maybe 8' deep. They have no yards to speak of. And to be able to be outside in the sunshine and to work a garden was a blessing and privilege to him. Belgium gets very little sunshine, but a lot of rain and clouds.

We took a road trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico and I wonder his head did not ache from turning side to side at the vast view of open land. This was a rare sight in Belgium. He bought books and got brochures every where we went and we took rolls of film to be developed. Marcel had a very nice camera with a zoom lens which he loved and used very well.

He loved White Sands, New Mexico and climbed the dunes while all of us played like children. It was wonderful to be able to see things through his eyes. We ate at a place called "Papa Johns". This was a source of conversation for days following the experience. I do not believe this was one of the chains we have today.

Once we went to Ft. Worth and ate at an Italian restaurant and he insisted we have the cherries jubilee. It may be known as Cherry Flambe. A waiter brought a cart to our table and made it right there for us. It began with butter and then they added strawberries or cherries and poured some sort of liquor over it and set it on fire which burned out the alcohol and poured the mixture over ice cream served on a decorated plate for each of us. It was like a dream. A fairy tale. Here we were just ordinary people that for us a vacation was going camping at the lake for two weeks each summer and eating out was a luxury at Wyatt's cafeteria, yet here we sat served dessert by a personal waiter. Oh wow!

We took him to the Kimbell Art Museum in Ft. Worth and he enjoyed it very much. Then we went to see a few of our closest friends living in the area and introduced Marcel. Eddie's parents also had him in their home for a visit.

We have a photo of Marcel sitting on our horse, Julie with a sleeveless undershirt, shorts and sandels. Oh what a sight he was. This was his idea of fighting our heat while at home. He was such a good sport. I do not recall his complaining with the heat nor humidity for which he certainly was not accustomed.

As we introduced Marcel to America, he in turn introduced us to Europe through Channel #5, Tabac cologne, Seiko watches and different kinds of food.

Marcel told us stories of the war in his youth. I recall one particular story of when he worked in a mine and all the food he had was a slice of bread strapped to his ankle soaked in perspiration that was his meal for the day. He told of his weight which was less than 100 pounds. They fought starvation daily. Later he told of how the Americans saved his country.

We never missed a church service when we were home and Marcel became acquainted with several in our church. He was raised Catholic and several times mentioned he was baptized as an infant and this disturbed him. He listened carefully at every service. Then one Sunday morning Marcel walked the isle and reaffirmed he was saved and had asked Christ into his heart and believed he had saved his soul. He wanted to be baptized and baptized he was. He kissed every person that came to shake his hand that morning. There was a lot of kissing going on and a lot of people certainly left their comfort zones. Being kissed on both cheeks every morning can become a real issue. Thankfully we endured leaving our comfort zones. Everyone that met Marcel loved him instantly.

Another one of our friends Nell Farmer came from San Antonio with her husband James on a job and after her visit asked if we would come let them show Marcel San Antonio. Carol, her friend Cody and I took him for the visit. We had our first meal of fajitas. None of us had ever eaten them before. On the table they put a small bowl of carrots, peppers and onions. Marcel took one of the carrots popped it into his mouth and began to chew. His face turned red and his head shrunk down into his shoulders as he grabbed the glass of water. As he regained his composure his reply was, "this was very good." I believe all were dying with laughter inside but all afraid to laugh out loud, but then he guffawed and we all laughed. Nell and James were such good hosts. Marcel had noticed the Texas Monthly magazine laying on the coffee table in their home and liked it very much. They later sent him a subscription which was another highlight for him.

On the way home darkness came bringing heavy rain with it. We drove and as the rain let up we heard Marcel in his French speaking way keep repeating, "splat". It sounded so amusing and finally I asked what was he saying. He pointed to the windshield at a bug that had hit and of course splat! There was always something new, amusing, heart warming or a learning experience in the presence of Marcel.

We took a trip to the mall one evening and we didn't park in the area I was accustom to park. When we came out the entrance I could not find the car. I began to panic after we had walked for several minutes searching. I was about to call home and tell Eddie someone had stolen the car when we walked around to the other side of the mall and I realized I had come out the door where I would always come and not the door we went in. Finally we spotted the car. By this time I was so nervous I was shaking. Here I had this poor man out in the heat, lost. We got in the car and I put it in gear and tore across the parking lot, when all of a sudden a median was in front of me and I slid right up to the dumb thing and stopped within an inch of hitting it. His reply, "GOOD REACTION!" I will always remember that. The man had nerves of steel.

Another friend, Sally Nelson went with me and we took Marcel to see New Orleans. This was another place he wished to see. I am not a world traveler if that is not obvious already and we did not take in to account this was near Easter. They had the main streets down town roped off and we could not find a place to park and walk to view the town. After driving for seemingly hours following a wagon pulled by a mule, we passed Bourbon street. I believe he was impressed by the tall bridges we crossed over in New Orleans, while he listened quietly as I prayed out loud while gripping the steering wheel. We drove on to Buloxi, Mississippi and watched the ocean while he told us of the North Sea and the freezing cold water which the people would brave to go swimming each year. We also returned by way of the Natches Trace. This was a complete success and relaxing to all of us.

Our oldest daughter Robin graduated from the University of Tyler and planned to marry in August. Marcel promised to return for her wedding, which he did. This time he did not come alone, but brought a friend. Roxane was about 13 and the daughter of a close friend that kept his house for him. Marcel has a way of making everyone close to him as family.

Roxane rode horses with Robin, Carol and Suzie. She and the girls shared many hours together and Roxane really liked Suzie. Naturally the language barrier was difficult, but they seemed to get along well in spite of it.

Marcel's six month stay took us on many travels and experiences which will be lasting memories with photos to remind us. I believe we helped him through his grief as he brought unspeakable joy into our lives which were forever changed.

Before he left he made plans for us to come visit him in Belgium, but that is another story which I hope to write about soon.