Dad

I think a lot about the man who is my Father-In-Law ~ Homer D. Hunsaker. I didn’t know him, but I do remember meeting him (many years ago). Yesterday marked the 33rd year that he has been gone. I feel somewhat jipped that I didn’t get to really know him. He died 3 years before Doug and I met and married. Would he have liked me? Would we have gotten along? I believe the answer would be a big YES! I think we would have had fun fishing together. Fishing off the lake banks or in a boat. I think we would have swapped stories about the big one that got away. I think we would have laughed at something one of us would have said while eating a bowl of ice cream. I think of the many hugs and sweet kisses we would have exchanged whenever we said hello or goodbye to each other. Yes, I think he would have liked me.

I remember meeting him, this kind gentle giant when I was very young. I use to accompany my Dad whenever he bought his fishing license or fishing supplies. His stops were either at Yellow Front or Peterson’s Sporting Goods, both stores were on Main Street. I remember the sweet man who use to wait on my Dad at Petersons. I remember his laugh and always his concern about how my Dad was doing and how his luck had been at the “old fishing holes”. I would get a pat on the head or shoulder and he would say, “How are you doing young lady?” Who would have imagined that this nice man behind the counter would some day be my Father-In-Law?

I have for almost 30 years now, gone to his grave site to clean his headstone and take flowers. Not out of duty, but because I love him. I love him because of what he has left for me and for my family. A great and wonderful legacy. I am honored to have his last name, to be married to his son, who is exactly like his father and to be the mother of his grandchildren. I look forward to the day that I will officially meet him. What a great day that will be!