Memories

The word "cherish" kept coming to my mind every time I thought of Cappy and Grammy. I will always hold, near and dear in my heart, many little memories I have of them in my past; and think of them fondly whenever a certain flower, food or moment crosses my future path.

Sailing:
Walking up and down the steep path using the tractor to load Vela for a sailing trip. Picking the blueberries that we would end up having as blueberry pancakes cooked on the cast iron stove. Playing endless games of Uno into the night as the boat rocked. Counting the stars come out while trying to keep warm. Steering Vela and feeling the absolute control of the harmony of the sails and the wind. Ducking under the sail as the winds shifted. Calling out "wake" when a wave came through. Sitting on the bow, feet dangling above the rushing water, the wind whipping through my hair. Timing the tide just right to return back to the harbor after an outing to Squaxin Island.

Garden:
Grammy showing me you can eat some flowers as we ate the petals off the periwinkle blue borage. Washing carrots under the outdoor faucet that we just unearthed from the garden. Forget-me-nots, roses, rhubarb, rhododendrons, crocosmia, and wormwood. The garden gates of Grammy's design that Cappy welded and installed. The smell of fresh dug earth as Grammy puttered around with a spade and garden knife. Always washing with lavender soap when she was done.

Shop:
Classical music and the smell of sawdust. Sparks flying around Cappy while he welds or grinds metal. His gritty soap that never quite took the grease stains from his hands. Grammy feeding the shop fireplace from the wood Cappy chopped. Cappy adding some intricate detail to the model railroad. Setting up the long table for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays while surrounded by the metal and woodworking tools.

Holidays:
Playing electricity around the food laden table at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Toasting with Martineli's and drinking so much our stomach's hurt. Playing with the old-fashioned wind up toys on the blue rug. Ornaments and tons of tinsel adorning the branch or tree that they cut from their yard. Sharing a box of chocolates every Christmas Eve. Gathering together for a 4th of July BBQ to celebrate both Cappy and Grammy's birthdays.

Food:
Olives, pizza, Dove ice cream bars, rootbeer floats, flag jello, apple pie, crepes, taco potatoes, thyme burgers, blueberry pancakes, the sparkling apple cider, Cappy's razor blades and his coffee, hot water with lemon, Dutch babies, Enchiladas and the surf and turf Josh and I surprised them with.

Memories:
Wearing Cappy's cap. Swinging over the gully. Driving the tractor. Taking walks to the mailbox. Sitting on the bench overlooking the harbor. Falling asleep in Cappy's lap. Grammy crying while reading The Giving Tree to me. Traipsing through the forest and getting stung by a ton of bees. Pulling logs out of the gully with a pulley system. Grammy always telling me that I'll wake up "bright eyed and bushy tailed." And the time honored tradition of waving goodbye out the car window every time we left from our visit.

I have always felt blessed and incredibly lucky having George and Betty Lou Hansen as my Cappy and Grammy. They will forever be loved in my memories.

With So Much Love
Shauna Paul*