Claire has become a Duhawk fan, and now has the t-shirt to prove it. She seems especially fond of basketball and mimes the dribbling and shooting of a basketball and points across the valley to the Loras campus, where she goes to watch Duhawk hoops games, whenever she sees pictures of basketball games in the sports page or hears us mention basketball.
"Dad! The sky's on fire... If it's the last thing I do, can we go to a Loras basketball game? Please..."
"Sure, Claire. Let's go. But the sky really isn't on fire. It's just the sunset over the Loras campus as seen from our dining room."
"These basketball games are sure fun, especially when I get to dress in purple and gold and have a Duhawk on my shirt AND go with Aunt X!"
Claire and her parents traveled to Rockford, IL, for a funeral service for Will's maternal grandmother, Lorraine. Claire's great-grandma had been in poor health for some time, and just a few weeks ago we were fortunate to be back to Rockford to see her. That day when great-grandma first saw Claire and realized who she was her face lit up in a huge smile. And that's how she will be remembered.
While the circumstances were less than ideal, Claire made the most of the toys in the basement of the church and learned to drive.
"It gets great gas mileage, Dad... Can I get one?"
Here Claire demonstrates her advanced parking skills.
Until next time...
-WcH
2 comments:
When Will was born we received a framed embroidered ribbon with a quote from the poet Carl Sandberg. "A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." Claire's presence at Mom's funeral a couple of days ago brought that home. Claire, as the youngest there by more than a decade (and if you consider most of the people, the youngest by many, many decades) brought joy and hope to all there in what was a time of sorrow. Her shy smile assured us that the world does indeed go on.
Thank you, little grand-daughter.
Julie Hoyer
p.s. ...and on a lighter note, seeing Claire driving around, practicing parking, and filling the gas tank of her toy car in Salem Lutheran's amazing toy room, should warn Will and Kate that the world better watch out for a new driver in about 14 years. Way to go, Claire!
When Will was born we received a framed embroidered ribbon with a quote from the poet Carl Sandberg. "A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." Claire's presence at Mom's funeral a couple of days ago brought that home. Claire, as the youngest there by more than a decade (and if you consider most of the people, the youngest by many, many decades) brought joy and hope to all there in what was a time of sorrow. Her shy smile assured us that the world does indeed go on.
Thank you, little grand-daughter.
Julie Hoyer
p.s. ...and on a lighter note, seeing Claire driving around, practicing parking, and filling the gas tank of her toy car in Salem Lutheran's amazing toy room, should warn Will and Kate that the world better watch out for a new driver in about 14 years. Way to go, Claire!
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