John Anthony Fisher-Hall

To My Dear Son, Tony

If I had known on Thursday, April 21, 2022, that it would be the last time that I would speak to you, as you were leaving the house, I would not have called out, “Remember to bring in the trash cans tonight.” It seemed I always had to remind you.

Instead, I would have run down the stairs, grabbed, kissed, and held you to tell you how much I love you and what a thoughtful, loving, and dedicated son, and great father you are!

I would have reminiscenced about how wonderful our lives have been. From the time you were born on January 10, 1966, we were always together. Even while I was in graduate school, I would not leave you. I took you to Philadelphia and my grandmother, your great grandmother, came to take care of you because I did not want to be separated from you. Every Friday after my last class, we packed up the Ford Pinto and headed to Washington DC to be with Sam (Dad) for the weekend.

You found your calling as a person who provided compassionate care and teaching to those with disabilities. We marveled at how you felt and talked about your clients. Your work ethic fulfilled the requirement that you show up every day and be prepared for whatever came that day. You continued your compassionate care through your community service projects through your association with the “Men on the Hill” group by donating backpacks, and sponsoring Basketball Sunday cookouts for the kids and seniors at Takoma Park Recreational Center.

I cannot remember if I told you how much I appreciated your taking care of your father during his year-long illness. You took Family and Medical Leave so that you could be with your father, to help him to his medical appointments, ensure that he took his medication as required, and was always comfortable. I think your father most enjoyed the times you all spent debating about sports, with each of you claiming to be an authority on football and basketball.

Of all your achievements, I am most proud of the father you became when Marquell Antonio Fisher Hall came into the world. You, your friend Black, and other fathers taking your children on vacations without their mothers proved to be such a wonderful demonstration of fatherly love. The first time, I worried for the entire time and waited for the phone to ring so you could ask me how to manage some issue or illness –but the call never came. Sam, on the other hand, was most confident that you would have no problems because you had watched him through the years; and of course, Sam did everything right.

So, since I did not have the opportunity to tell you of these feelings that are engraved in my heart, I had to tell you in this letter, and to let the world know that “I LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY” and I will miss your sideward smile, devotion, and love.

I look forward to the day when our family will be re-united!

I love you but God loves you best.

Mom