Oh how Jim loved to travel and spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren! From the beginning, after our move from Minnesota, we made our annual drive back to Sturgeon Lake for the summer. Once our granddaughters, Ally and Megan were old enough, they came with us.
They wanted to drive through Yellowstone, and so our trek began – through the colorful rocks of Utah, the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, until we finally reached Sturgeon Lake! Jim relished the job of showing them the ropes at the cabin. He was so proud of them when they learned to bait their hooks (with a little dab of sunscreen on each minnow for good luck), take off the sunnies, and pull in the northerns. They learned how to build a fire and then sit around in the dark and tend to it while listening to the comfortable chit chat of the adults and making marshmallows to order for the perfect s’more. We traveled to the cities to visit Betty and Dick and family, brother Lornie, and old friends and neighbors from our days in St Paul. More afternoons were spent in Duluth by the big Lake Superior, and up on the Iron Range visiting with our many relatives. Jim enjoyed all of these outings so much – but then back to the cabin! The girls, and then later, Andrew got a chance to really get to know the people that so often cropped up in conversation as they grew up. When the girls decided to play summer softball, grandson Andrew was packed and ready to make the annual trip. Since Andrew is a history buff, he wanted to see forts along the way. So those summers were a mix of National Parks and historic forts. Andrew became adept, not only at fishing, but he took quite a shine to chopping wood, building a tree house and creating a rope swing right in the front yard. Like his Grandpa, he took whatever he found in the shed and made something out of it.
The summers were spent in MN, but then Jim was always anxious to get back to AZ to watch Ryan’s Fall and Winter sports. Ryan was our first grandchild. Jim was immediately smitten by him. For a short while we were blessed to have him and his parents stay with us. Jim was working from home. Every morning Ryan would play right outside the door waiting for Jim to open it and announce, I have to go to the money store. Anyone want to come with? And of course this is what Ryan was waiting for. He was ready to go. Jim spent time with him and was truly amazed at his growth. Everyday he would tell me what wonderful new thing Ryan did that day. It broke our hearts when they moved to Arizona. Ryan too spent summer time in Minnesota. He would fly back for summer hockey school. However he lived too far from an ice rink and took up other sports.
Along came Jack. At a young age he started spending Friday nights with us. At bedtime he would sit on Grandpa's lap listening to a bedtime story. Jack entertained us by making the sound an animal made. He knew them all. He had an amazing memory. When he got older he let his hair grow long. We could always spot him on the soccer field by his long white hair flowing behind him as he ran.
One day his mom told me that Sam really wanted to stay over. And so a second night was filled. Sam is our computer genius. He can get any electronic gadget working. He could put huge floor puzzles together at an amazing speed and Grandpa would time him. He also played soccer. As with Jack, his first years were played indoors, making it easy for us to attend. The boys had smiles that lit up the room.
Anna is our youngest grandchild. When her turn came to sleep over, she would entertain us by doing somersaults, jumping jacks, and now perfect cartwheels. She is also our amazing artist and is always drawing pictures for us. Grandpa so loved when she was over.
No matter what he was doing or who he was with, Jim was always in the moment. He loved and was loved so much. His legacy will live on in all the lives he has touched in such a positive way. We miss him so much and he will never be forgotten.
