My Dad, by Teri Hancock

One of my best memories of my dad is being able to go to work with him.  When I was between the ages of 5-7 years old, he would give me small jobs to help him out in the body shop.  Sometimes I would sand cars or clean his office.  I enjoyed working right beside him and watch how he would help customers and talk to his employees. He would tell everyone that I was his best little helper.  For many years working beside my dad, I learned to be honest and treat customers well.  My father was a patient, caring and honest man.

My daughter and I had a close and loving relationship with my dad.   We were blessed to have the opportunity to care for my parents since they cared for Makayla and I for several years.  

My daughter spent every day w/her grandpa. The relationship between my daughter and my father was made in heaven.  They spent a lot of time with each other.  They would always talk to about school, work, friends, how her day went in general.  He started going to the Neighborhood House so she would get up in the morning and help him get breakfast, give him his pills, grab his coat and cane, and tell him goodbye every day he left on the bus.   This when my dad was in the advance stages of alzheimers and he always thought he was going to work.  He would mention that they didn’t pay him much but they fed him lunch.  They enjoyed each other’s company, talking to each other from morning until long after bedtime.

We all wanted a little something to remember him by.  My daughter chose his eye glasses because she would put them on and make dad laugh.    I remember them holding hands while she tried to navigate walking in his big cowboy boots. 

I am blessed for the time we spent with him and help take care of him through his illness.  I feel he is at peace and watching over us and if they need an auto body man in heaven he the man. 

Teri Hancock