Originally published September 30, 2016 "The grass seed sprouted into a neat and tidy patch of lawn; the rose bush limped along through the rest of summer, fall, and then winter. Then January. And a car crash. And our Hans was gone." Read the entire post here.
Remembering Hans
Revised Post: Old Yeller Truck
Wildfire season is upon us here in Alaska bringing with it many smoky memories. Read the entire post here.
Things Are Not What They Seem
One of the things bereaved parents would like you to know is this: Even though they may seem pretty together and functional; even though they smile, though perhaps not very brightly and not for very long; and even though it seems like they are moving on with life, there are many, many things going on … Continue reading Things Are Not What They Seem
One Year
Can it be a whole year since we saw our boy's face? If you have a special memory of Hans (no matter how long ago), a funny story, or a photo you would like to share, please leave it in the comments section below, or visit Hans' memorial website here. Every memory posted is a … Continue reading One Year
Home
Hans spent most of his life right here at home in the house he grew up in. Of course he went places and did things. He spent his first birthday in California while we were down there visiting family. But other than that he never left the state of Alaska. He never “got his own … Continue reading Home
Better Than a High Five
Hans always made a point of thanking me whenever I helped him out. I believe he thanked me after almost every meal I cooked for him. Every pizza was "the best pizza ever." Often, after asking me to assist him in some way, he would say, “I hope this doesn’t cause you more work”. And … Continue reading Better Than a High Five
Well Said
Sometimes, when I am thinking about something that makes me feel mad or sad, I can’t put enough words together to explain how I feel. Sometimes I just need to say something and I don’t know how to say it, or I can’t say it fast enough and everybody just keeps talking without me. But … Continue reading Well Said
Light Show
Hans was a flashlight fanatic. This, of course, led to a rechargeable battery habit. He did not want to get caught on a highway emergency call without a good light. Car repairs and other work at home often had to be done in the dark as well. So, not unexpectedly, this past Christmas Hans gave … Continue reading Light Show
Tenacious
Several years ago, high winds snapped a large spruce tree about half way up its trunk, sending the upper part of the tree crashing down on our roof. Damage was minimal, the roof was repaired, and the tree was cut up and hauled away for firewood. But the stump, about eight feet tall, remained. Some … Continue reading Tenacious
Old Yeller Truck
The other day I went to the yellow pickup to see if Hans left anything in there. Sure enough, there was his Forestry Department issued clothing from when he worked last summer helping out for few days on the wildfire south of Nenana. It was all folded up neat as a pin and piled on … Continue reading Old Yeller Truck
