In Remembrance

‘CONTRIBUTOR’ VENDOR DON NASH REMEMBERED AS A UNIQUE STORYTELLER

Franklin Nash Jr., known as Don, died in his home on March 29 at the age of 62.

Since starting at The Contributor in 2010, he purchased a total of over 32,000 papers to sell, typically vending in the Gulch.

Nash came to be well-known in The Contributor office. Executive director of The Contributor Cathy Jennings said he loved his apartment.

“Don was a friendly soul and could be full of gratitude,” she said. “A customer bought him a roller suitcase and every time he came in the office he would show it off.”

Volunteer for The Contributor Michael Reilly said will miss Nash’s folksy and goofy nature.

“He was an optimistic soul who struggled with his personal demons,” Reilly said. “He was often disappointed with himself, but never lost his desire for self-improvement.”

Another volunteer, Joe First, said Nash could amaze with his writing.

“My favorite was when he wrote about learning to take apart and reassemble a car engine when he was 15 years old,” First said.

Volunteer Logan Ebel said Nash could spin a narrative, once telling him all about “some psychedelic dreams he had had and compared them to astrological charts. It was an extremely unique conversation that I won’t forget.”

He often would tell folks to take care of their body, once buying cigarettes and then telling Ebel to “never smoke.”

Volunteer Laura Birdsall remembers how hard Don could make people laugh with his deadpan delivery, especially when he was annoyed about something.

“Don always had a bee in his bonnet,” she says. But, she recalls, he was unfaltering in his warmth and gentleness.

“Even when Don was grumpy, he approached the people around him with so much grace and charm.”

The Contributor’s first editor, Andrew Krinks remembered Don as a special guy.

“I remember the lines in his face showing so much history and character, and the corners of his mouth curling up when he smiled. I remember how often he wrote with gratitude for his customers, who were like family to him. And I remember when he told me stories about being mistreated by police for appearing homeless (even though he was housed), how he asserted his dignity, and knew he was worthy of so much more. I’m thankful for Don’s quiet, tenacious persistence and hope.”

He was polite and thoughtful and will be missed by many.

The new normal?

BY DON N. PUBLISHED JULY 31, 2020

Let us hope not. Surely COVID-19 will go dormant in the near future, but we must all do our part and wear the mask. I know they’re bothersome and those with respiratory diseases find it very hard to breathe with them, but they are the best defense and of course six feet social gathering.

I myself have been sick for six months now with severe breathing problems and fatigue. I tested negative for COVID-19 but positive for exacerbated COPD. I’ve suffered from severe depression for a decade or more. I am trying very hard to snap out of it. This COVID thing certainly has not helped. Speaking of COVID-19, there are many, many cons to the virus and a very few pros. We all know the cons but let me share some pros with you, hopefully you will agree.

It has made us much closer as a family unit. It has brought out the good in a lot of peoples. It makes us realize how fragile life can be. There are very, very few more.

I got so sick in the last two months I was beginning to wonder if I had caught it. I kept checking on my temperature, I was coughing. I could not walk barely 30 feet without having to stop and regain my breath, yet I kept going to the corner to try and make a lil money. I’ve had a nice apartment at Vine Hill Towers going on four years. I got it with the help of Sally B., who used to work at Room In the Inn, and selling papers for The Contributor. I’ve been selling them since 2011. I can’t handle anything else ‘cause of my COPD. I have to pay my rent (wild horses couldn’t pull me away). Of course food and normal day to day items were and still are needed. I did finally get food stamps two months ago, for the first time in my life.

Well July 22, I went to the corner, barely making it. Next thing I know, I am in the hospital. Doctor said I passed out in the first lane of 13th Avenue. I do not remember any of it. He also said I was still COVID negative. But I had a bad case of pneumonia. I said OK, thanks sir, but I will take the prescriptions and go to the clinic and get my regular refills, some antibiotics and a prednisone shot and tablets. Four days later I feel much, much better.

So folks, in a nutshell, let us be thankful for what we have. Hope and pray for what we do not.

GODSPEED!!