Remembering Bill and Barbara Smith, my family found unexpected support during a challenging time in our lives. Barbara, my sister’s second-grade teacher, and her husband Bill became like family to us. Their kindness and friendship had a lasting impact, and we are forever grateful for their support. They were truly special friends whose meaningful presence helped us through some difficult moments.
Starting a New Life
In October 1976, my parents made a bold decision to move me and my four siblings to the United States in search of a better future. We settled in Mesquite, Texas, where our uncles already lived. At that time, none of us spoke English, except for my father, who knew just a little. It was a journey that was both thrilling and intimidating for all of us.
Looking back, I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for my parents. They moved to a foreign country with five young children where they didn’t even speak the language. It was an act of courage and selflessness, something only parents can truly understand.
How We Met Our Special Friends
This is where we first met Barbara Smith, who became my younger sister’s first teacher in America. Bill and Barbara were a few years younger than my parents. I’m not sure how they met our family, but I remember when Bill came over to help my dad fix our old white station wagon that wouldn’t start.
Bill Smith was not only a talented mechanic but also worked full-time as a police officer. Bill and Barbara had a little red-haired girl named Ginger, whom they loved dearly. Even though Ginger was four years younger than me, we all got along really well.
Our Special Friends Bill and Barbara Smith
For the next decade, Bill and Barbara Smith became like guardian angels to us, always looking out for our family whenever they could. I remember going to their house with my sister for sleepovers with Ginger. They took us to parks and restaurants and made sure we had fun whenever they could. When we were younger, they truly felt like second parents to us.
At night, when my parents and us kids stayed up late working at our sewing factory, Bill would visit after his late-night shift as a police officer. He would check in to make sure we were okay. Sometimes, he even helped out by ironing the clothes we had sewn.
When my younger brother was diagnosed with chronic juvenile arthritis at just eight years old and my parents couldn’t afford proper healthcare, Bill stepped in. He made sure my brother got the care he needed, even checking him into Children’s Hospital in Texas.
Bill and Barbara were kind and gentle people, always offering support and friendship. They stood by our family through the years, providing the care and love we needed during the toughest times. Their kindness meant the world to us. They were truly special friends, and their kindness meant the world to us.
Lost Connections with Our Friends
Unfortunately, as we all went off to college and started living our own lives, we lost touch with Bill and Barbara. My last memory of them was at my older brother’s medical school graduation, which they attended. At the time, I was in college and, sadly, didn’t make an effort to stay in contact. Looking back, I regret not staying connected with our special friends, who had given us so much when we needed it most.
Years later, my father told me that Bill and Barbara had tried to stay in touch by sending greeting cards during the holidays. They still lived in Richardson, Texas, where we had once lived. However, at some point, they moved to Georgia, and that’s when my parents completely lost contact with them.
Visiting Barbara Smith After Bill's Passing
Over the years, my parents often spoke of our special friends, Bill and Barbara. In October 2016, when my daughters were teenagers, I found myself thinking about them and decided to search for our long-lost friends. Using a people finder app, I tracked down their home in Texas and reached out to their nephew, who was close to them.
Through him, I received the heartbreaking news that Bill had passed away just nine months earlier. Tragically, their beloved daughter, Ginger, had also passed away from breast cancer six years before. Bill, diagnosed with prostate cancer, had checked himself into a nursing home, not wanting to burden his family. He was a proud man, and I hope he found peace and didn’t suffer in his final days.
All I had wanted was to see our special friends again, to express our gratitude and let them know they were never forgotten. Sadly, I was nine months too late, and hearing of his passing was devastating. Losing a loved one is always heartbreaking, and this loss felt particularly painful.
Despite the sadness, I flew to Texas with my daughters to visit Barbara, who was now living alone in their home. Bill’s nephew brought Barbara out to see us. She was in her seventies and struggling with early dementia, needing constant care. Still, she looked well and remembered me and my family fondly. We visited Bill’s grave together and spent a brief but meaningful time with Barbara before we had to return home.
Remembering Bill and Barbara Smith:
Remembering Bill and Barbara Smith brings to mind the profound impact they had on our lives. They weren’t just friends; they became like family, offering unwavering support during difficult times with their kindness and care. Losing them made me realize the importance of staying connected to those who have touched our lives so deeply.
Maintaining these connections goes beyond simply staying in touch. It’s about expressing gratitude and acknowledging the lasting impact they’ve had on us. It’s also about nurturing relationships that enrich our lives and provide support when we need it most. These connections remind us of the love and care we’ve received and help us appreciate the role others play in shaping who we are.
To learn more about our family’s journey as immigrants, read my earlier post. It tells the story of our challenges and how we started a new life in a foreign country.
