I think it was Boris Karloff that said "kids can see through the makeup and acting, they see the person under it" Karloff was talking about why kids weren't afraid of him as "the monster" (Frankenstein). Maybe that's why we ran home from school to see Barnabas. We were able to see the real Mr. Frid under all the makeup and acting. I like to think that I (we ) were drawn to Barnabas because, as kids, we could see how special the man was.
I didn't really know Mr. Frid but I did get to shake his have, get a photo or two and talk with him. I think of myself as very lucky to have done so. I will never forget him. As Barnabas he, and Willie, helped me to understand to sometimes men do things because they have too, not because they want to. As a young boy whose father was away fighting a war that was very important.
When I started school I knew nothing about "male" things like sports. I was always picked last for any game. There was a time that I didn't like my father very much because of it. Barnabas and Willie helped me get past that. I truely believe that without them and DS my kids would not have know their grandfather.
Thank you Mr. Frid for teaching me that sometimes as men we do things, not because we want to but because we have to. You will always have a very special place in my heart.
