A loving tribute to a wonderful man

Summer 2009

It is unfortunate that it took the passing of my grandfather to bring me out of blogtirement, but I felt it was important to share a few thoughts about him and the impact that he had in my life.

My Grandpa Clawson would have been 98 years old next month. A few years ago he said he wanted to live to be 100 years old. After losing his second wife in 2006 I think he decided otherwise. Grandpa lived a full and happy life. He was able to live mostly all on his own until April of last year. He stayed active playing golf and walking as often as he could well into his 90's. He outlived 2 wives and 6 siblings. He left behind 3 children, 4 step-children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Grandpa was not one for warm fuzziness and lots of affection, yet I never doubted his love for me. I was always greeted with a loving "Mandy!" and a hug whenever I saw him. He was and is the only person that I ever allowed to call me Mandy. I will miss that.

I don't recall these moments, but he always spoke fondly of when I was about 4 years old and my family lived down the street from him. I would come to their house to visit and he rememberd me coming to the door. He remembered those times vividly, including the purple winter coat with the brown faux fur hood that I wore.

My early memories of my grandpa are of visiting for Christmas and being "locked" in the basement so we wouldn't spy on Santa, eating ice cream on his back patio, playing in his backyard with my family, eating his freshly grown tomatoes, and lastly, eating his not so secret stash of chocolate hidden in the basement refrigerator. It is with great pride that I declare that my chocolate obsession comes from his side of the family.

When I was 14 our family moved back to Salt Lake City and we would often go over to visit grandpa and grandma. I enjoyed hearing his stories of growing up. He was born in 1912 so he had lots of stories to share. Among others, he shared stories about his days as a boy scout and his time as a missionary for our church. I often heard the same story more than once but I never tired of hearing them. My grandpa had an incredible work ethic and his integrity is unmatched by anyone else I have ever known. He worked hard from the time he was a young man up until his "2nd retirement" at the age of 92.

As grandpa got older he lost more and more of his hearing. I know there were a lot of times when we would all gather together that he heard very little of what went on, yet he always delighted in watching us interact with each other. As we got older and started having children of our own he enjoyed seeing children playing once again in the backyard while we enjoyed ice cream on the patio.

Grandpa leaves behind a legacy of love, patience, long suffering, perseverance, and hard work. At times when I have struggled in my life I have often thought of my grandpa and the incredible person that he is. I know that I have a part of him within me and I try to reach inside myself and hold onto those same values and characteristics that have served him so well throughout his life.

I look forward to the time when I will be able to see him again and once again hear him say, "Mandy!" I love you Grandpa and I will miss you!!!