Reflections on Don’s life, by Don’s daughter Angela Olson
February 19, 2021
by Angela Olson
As I reflect on who my dad was and the profound impact he had on my life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
1. I’m grateful for his humor.
I will always remember him and his sense of humor; he could always make me smile. Not everyone got his jokes, but I did. This past Christmas, I actually tried to convince him to record his jokes and funny stories. I sent him a recorder and wrote down a list of 50 of my favorites— I knew that one day soon, I’d cherish being able to still hear his voice, that laugh.
2. I’m grateful that he worked so hard to provide for our family.
I remember as a child, when we would all sit down for dinner, the phone would ring and dad would have to leave for work. Or when there was a blizzard or a freeze or it was 2am in the morning, and no one in their right mind would want to step foot outside, Dad would be out the door if there was a call. I watched my dad work so hard so that he could send my brother and I to a private school; he wanted us to receive the very best Christian education. Through his grit, his tenacity, his strength, and Mom spoiling us, I was beyond blessed with everything I could ever wish for as a child and even into my adult life. I was blessed, and I’m grateful for the head start in life Dad and Mom worked so hard to provide.
3. I’m grateful that he always made time.
Dad was someone I could always count on to make time for me whenever I asked, whether to play a game or even just talk. If he was working, he’d make sure to take the time out when he was not. If he wasn’t working, he was generous with his time and we had so much fun playing cards, building things, or doing projects. Some of my favorite time spent with him was when we just sat around and talked. I learned so much from him both directly and indirectly. Even if we didn’t agree on something or we had different viewpoints, I always felt like I gained valuable perspective.
4. I’m grateful that he believed in me.
Dad had high expectations of me; he believed in me, and he drove me to be my best at all times. “If you’re going to do something, do it right,” he used to say. He taught me to take great pride in my work, and to always make sure that I gave my stamp of approval on anything and everything before attaching my name to it. He taught me that my name and my word counted for something, that they were important. That my thoughts, my voice, my words, my actions and my works were meaningful and a reflection of my character. He taught me to always be in competition with myself, to pay no attention to what others were doing, to value being well respected over being well liked. He taught me from a young age to be inspired and relentless, to be a force to be reckoned with and to beholden to no limitations; “you can be anything, you can do anything in life Angie, as long as you put your mind to it and work hard for it.”
5. I’m grateful my Dad loved the Lord.
I love my dad and the way he studied the Bible; he was a guiding light in my faith. He loved God his whole life. I still smile each time I think about him recalling the day his sister first told him the story of Jesus Christ and how it moved him at such a young age. If I ever had a faith based question, a question of morality, confusion or conflict spiritually, my Dad could always help me understand, find peace.
6. I’m grateful for his love of animals.
Dad was a tough guy, but he had the biggest heart. It was apparent in the way he babied and took such loving care of animals. He was a cat person for sure; he loved his kitties. One time when I was about 12 yrs old and rescuing strays, we ended up with 13 cats in our house while I tried to get them adopted. Ha! 13 cats! Don’t know how I ever got away with that, but it must have had something to do with what a big softy dad was for animals. My father rescued a squirrel once, actually twice. While he lived in Florida, he found a baby squirrel that had fallen out of a tree. Instead of walking away, he picked it up and built a cage and fed it with an eye dropper until it grew big enough to fend for itself. He used to pet it, rub its belly, feed and play with that squirrel until it was time to let it go.
7. I’m grateful for my Dad’s love.
There is so much more I could say. He was so many things. I don’t know that I could possibly put into words all that my dad meant to me. How do you explain how he was the type of man who provided a sense of security and protection, a type of invisible safety net around you at all times just because he was your father and he loved you? That because of who he was, you felt like somebody, somebody important, someone invaluable, someone worthy of greatness. That was who my father was to me; he was my hero.
Dad, thank you for giving me a strength, a courage, a faith, a power, a confidence, and a self-respect that I can only ever hope to pass on to my daughters. I am forever grateful, and I love you so much. Rest in peace daddy.
1. I’m grateful for his humor.
I will always remember him and his sense of humor; he could always make me smile. Not everyone got his jokes, but I did. This past Christmas, I actually tried to convince him to record his jokes and funny stories. I sent him a recorder and wrote down a list of 50 of my favorites— I knew that one day soon, I’d cherish being able to still hear his voice, that laugh.
2. I’m grateful that he worked so hard to provide for our family.
I remember as a child, when we would all sit down for dinner, the phone would ring and dad would have to leave for work. Or when there was a blizzard or a freeze or it was 2am in the morning, and no one in their right mind would want to step foot outside, Dad would be out the door if there was a call. I watched my dad work so hard so that he could send my brother and I to a private school; he wanted us to receive the very best Christian education. Through his grit, his tenacity, his strength, and Mom spoiling us, I was beyond blessed with everything I could ever wish for as a child and even into my adult life. I was blessed, and I’m grateful for the head start in life Dad and Mom worked so hard to provide.
3. I’m grateful that he always made time.
Dad was someone I could always count on to make time for me whenever I asked, whether to play a game or even just talk. If he was working, he’d make sure to take the time out when he was not. If he wasn’t working, he was generous with his time and we had so much fun playing cards, building things, or doing projects. Some of my favorite time spent with him was when we just sat around and talked. I learned so much from him both directly and indirectly. Even if we didn’t agree on something or we had different viewpoints, I always felt like I gained valuable perspective.
4. I’m grateful that he believed in me.
Dad had high expectations of me; he believed in me, and he drove me to be my best at all times. “If you’re going to do something, do it right,” he used to say. He taught me to take great pride in my work, and to always make sure that I gave my stamp of approval on anything and everything before attaching my name to it. He taught me that my name and my word counted for something, that they were important. That my thoughts, my voice, my words, my actions and my works were meaningful and a reflection of my character. He taught me to always be in competition with myself, to pay no attention to what others were doing, to value being well respected over being well liked. He taught me from a young age to be inspired and relentless, to be a force to be reckoned with and to beholden to no limitations; “you can be anything, you can do anything in life Angie, as long as you put your mind to it and work hard for it.”
5. I’m grateful my Dad loved the Lord.
I love my dad and the way he studied the Bible; he was a guiding light in my faith. He loved God his whole life. I still smile each time I think about him recalling the day his sister first told him the story of Jesus Christ and how it moved him at such a young age. If I ever had a faith based question, a question of morality, confusion or conflict spiritually, my Dad could always help me understand, find peace.
6. I’m grateful for his love of animals.
Dad was a tough guy, but he had the biggest heart. It was apparent in the way he babied and took such loving care of animals. He was a cat person for sure; he loved his kitties. One time when I was about 12 yrs old and rescuing strays, we ended up with 13 cats in our house while I tried to get them adopted. Ha! 13 cats! Don’t know how I ever got away with that, but it must have had something to do with what a big softy dad was for animals. My father rescued a squirrel once, actually twice. While he lived in Florida, he found a baby squirrel that had fallen out of a tree. Instead of walking away, he picked it up and built a cage and fed it with an eye dropper until it grew big enough to fend for itself. He used to pet it, rub its belly, feed and play with that squirrel until it was time to let it go.
7. I’m grateful for my Dad’s love.
There is so much more I could say. He was so many things. I don’t know that I could possibly put into words all that my dad meant to me. How do you explain how he was the type of man who provided a sense of security and protection, a type of invisible safety net around you at all times just because he was your father and he loved you? That because of who he was, you felt like somebody, somebody important, someone invaluable, someone worthy of greatness. That was who my father was to me; he was my hero.
Dad, thank you for giving me a strength, a courage, a faith, a power, a confidence, and a self-respect that I can only ever hope to pass on to my daughters. I am forever grateful, and I love you so much. Rest in peace daddy.