Grandfathers Journey

Eerily a feeling waved over me, the chill and uneasiness, a wave albeit of sadness from an unknown void. Until I realized the time that was swiftly approaching, a time that I had almost let slip my mind. October 17th. Any normal day to any normal person, but this was and is no normal day. On that day in the year of our lord 2009 I lost my grandfather. Almost to the day I sit and type my post of how influential and how special and how blessed I could be to own such a person to memory, to my heart, and in my life. I still cry like a baby as I try to create words for this man, the day of his service I struggled with strength for my family. I knew if I went to pieces, me, the proverbial family rock and gem, would ultimately be like Atlas as the world would come crushing down around myself and my family. But today as I sent an email to my grandmother and my aunt wishing them strength and love today my grandmother greeted me yet again with unyielding strength and joy. I cannot quite fathom how a woman who stands four feet nine inches and weighs all but 90 pounds sopping wet can be such an enormous force, she is an amazement.

With her words I realized what I did not and had not shared about my grandfather. In addition to being an overall amazing man despite moments where he could be cruel and kind, he accomplished so much in his life and without him, I would not be the woman or person writing today.

He taught me to live without fear and I can see why.

Born January 31, 1930, in Indianapolis, Indiana, he moved to Wickenburg, Arizona in the early 40’s, He graduated from Wickenburg High School as an All-State basketball player with a scholarship to Arizona State College at Flagstaff. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserves, and was called to active duty in 1950, to serve in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Special Services attached to the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) in Honolulu HI. While stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, he met Tina Lucas on a blind date, and they were married in January of 1953. He worked as a truck driver in the copper mines of Baghdad, Arizona while playing semi-pro basketball in 1954, was the top salesman in the United States for Sears & Roebuck & Company in Atlanta Georgia in 1957, and moved to Casa Grande the same year, where he became the Sales Manager for Don Johnson Ford. In 1963 Dan moved his family to Scottsdale, where he worked as Sales Manager for Chase Morrisey’s Paradise Ford, as well as other prestigious Ford, Mercedes Benz and BMW dealerships. Ever the consummate salesman, he sold and delivered cars to Hollywood stars, San Francisco business moguls and even a Mafia member or two. (Sinaloa Hudson: October 19, 2010)

I knew so little about my granddad before his bout in the car business, and when my grandmother wrote his tribute I could not believe all that my grandfather accomplished, conquered, how he enjoyed what he did in life and he taught me to do the same. He taught me to live without fear or regret, but learn from life and the mistakes and or choices we make.

Dearest Grandpa I miss you everyday and love you more than anything. I am so thankful for all that you have participated in my life; my birth, riding my first horse, eating my first pomegranate, my high school graduation, my wedding, the birth of my children, and my college graduation. His journey was mine and I am thankful everyday for him and my family.