My Father Remembered
When my father died Wednesday, he was the last of the six children
born to Peter and Carrie Crim. He was their youngest son. To those of
us here he was husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle,
and to all of us he was a friend. My father died at the age of 80
years, 9 mos. and 22 days -- and he lived every day to the max.
The memories of this man will stay with us a lifetime. He was always
sure that Jack did most of the cooking in our household and he was
right.
One night while he and mom were visiting my son, then stationed in
Arizona, I got a call from Michael.
He said, "Mom, why didn't you tell me Grandpa was so funny." Michael
went on to tell me that he and his wife Starr were very much enjoying
all of Dad's stories -- even his political jokes. It was clear that
Grandpa loved his great-grandchildren -- Mick and Jade -- and Mick and
Jade, thought Grandpa Hanson was very special. He will be missed.
Michael and his family send their love to Grandma.
Dad's caring and love for his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren often superseded any other concerns. Dad felt long
distance phone calls were a luxury and used them VERY sparingly. They
cost money, after all. Many times when I called him he would want to
cut the conversation short and I had to remind him that I was paying
for the call. But when Deborah
was less than a year old and sick for a period of time, I got more than
my share of long distance calls inquiring about my care of her. Was I
taking her to the doctor? How was she? Is she getting better? You see I
was still his child and Deborah was his beloved granddaughter.
Dad was an observer of people and often commented on what he
thought were people's inner motivation. He liked to figure people out.
I think it mystified him that he could not ever figure out his grandson
Thomas.
He was always pleased when Tom was around and especially pleased if he
thought Tom had enjoyed himself -- Tom's smile was always something Dad
noticed. Last Friday he promised to come out in the next week or two to
make Navy Bean soup and he had inquired if Tom would be there -- he
knew that was one of Tom's favorite foods.
When his great granddaughter, Aubrey, arrived Dad was
so pleased to get a hug. He and mom never refused an opportunity to
have Aubrey spend a morning or afternoon with them.
Dad loved to dance and one of my favorite photos is from a party
and it has Dad in the middle of a group dancing the macarena.
A year or so before Steven and Matthew were born, Dad was afraid
that he would not get any more grandchildren, so one day during a
family gathering he jokingly suggested that he would probably will the
farm to anyone who would have twin granddaughters for him. A year later
he had twin grandsons -- that was too close for comfort; he immediately
rescinded his offer. When Steven and Matthew were little he always
thought he could tell them apart but he often was mistaken. However, as
they got older he knew that if one was wearing a cowboy hat that would
be Matthew. He always smiled just thinking about Matthew
-- cowboy boots and cowboy hat. Dad thought he was a "good guy" but in
recent months thought maybe he ought to get himself a "good
woman." He thought of Steve as being a little more preppy and
knew he would find "a good woman" too. Maybe now Dad will be in a better position to take care of that, for both of them
For a long time Suzanne was the youngest granddaughter
and as such enjoyed a special spot in her grandpa's heart. They talked
about everything -- and anything. Dad enjoyed visiting and he loved it
that Suzanne loved to talk. Grandpa often rescued Suzanne when her
father or I were not available and she needed help.
These
are my memories of Dad with my children but I am sure my
siblings have similar anecdotes involving themselves and their
children. I know he always thought it was very special that when he and
Mom would visit with Dwayne and Belinda
in Nevada (Iowa) that all of their children (and grandchildren) showed
up to see them. He always came back with stories of what Brian was
doing with his dad, how Shawn and Dustin were doing in school, and what
wonderful granddaughters Denise and Sandy were. Of course, their image
was enhanced because they came with great-grandchildren. He loved
bragging about what nice kids Nicholas, Matthew, Rebecca, and Victoria
were. It didn't hurt at all that those children were often at the door
to meet him and Mom when they arrived. He loved every minute with them.
He often commented about how special he and mom at been treated at
their house. I often got told about the good cooking that went on in
their houses.
In the last few years Dad and Mom had been fortunate enough to
spend a major part of the winter in Boca Raton, Florida with my
brother, Keith and his daughter Kathy.
Nothing could have compared to his days around Kathy. He had delighted
in being around his older grandchildren but as they grew up he missed
the energy of the younger ones. After more than a decade -- he was
delighted when another granddaughter showed up. Along with the seven
great-grandchildren Kathy kept him energized and always looking to the
next day with them.
My sister Joyce no doubt will have memories of being
called "bunny" -- to this day I don't know why. But her other memories
will no doubt be filled with joint projects, digging up Mom's flower
bulbs, trimming trees, and early morning breakfasts of fish.
And Mom, nothing I could say here can compete with the
storehouse of memories that you must have after sharing sixty years of
marriage. Many of my memories of Dad are intertwined with memories of
you both as parents and grandparents. Now we will all have a little
heavenly help in making even more memories of life together.
Many of you have your own memories of Dad. I urge you to keep them
in your heart, to share them with Mom, and to remember what a loving
and kind man he was.
May God bless his soul and may he rest in peace.
Sharron L. McElmeel