Donald R. Gavagan: 'I Am Here for
You'
Out
by their vacation house in Montauk, Donald R. Gavagan
loved to go out in his Jeep for a spin by the sea. So did
his 3-year-old twins, Donald and Lara, who imitated their
father by scooting around in their own little motorized
jeeps.
There is a new addition to the Gavagan family, Connor,
who was born 52 days after the death of his father, a
bond broker at Cantor Fitzgerald, and will be christened
today. Mr. Gavagan's wife, Jacqueline, is not sure when
she will be ready to return to their Long Island getaway.
But she cherishes the photo she took of her husband and
their children the weekend before Sept. 11: On a foggy
beach, in the soft morning light, the twins sitting and
watching their father cast his line in the surf.
Then there are the boxes of poems Mrs. Gavagan found
as she was going through her husband's personal effects.
Mr. Gavagan, 35, had a college degree in pharmacy and a
career in finance, but he wrote poetry as well -- while
helping care for their small children, working long hours
and renovating their new house.
One poem read:
When life's trials overwhelm you and all you have is
tears,
Please remember I am here for you now and for many
years.
If you ever should need me when you want to run and
hide,
Know I will be waiting and standing right by your
side.
"It is almost," his wife said, "as though it was his
last message to me."
.
