I have many
fond memories of my Grandfather. Even early on we had a very special bond. I
remember him playing the piano and organ, and how he made such a big deal over
us grandkids and eventually great- grandkids. I will remember how he told the
same stories to us grandkids. I know his favorite to tell was how he met
grandma after he returned home from the service. Then he could go on to tell
you about when each of his kids was born, then when each grandkid was born. He
used to tell me about the night I was born and how he worried watching his
grandson be worked on by doctors and seeing the tubes in my chest. You could see the emotion on his face, then he
would smile and say, “But then I look at you now and I don’t know why I worried”.
He often
told me of his time in the Army during World War 2. I remember him telling of
how home sick he was and missing his family. He would talk about the bitter
cold in the winter of ’44-’45. He also
told me of serving in a small German village after the war had ended. He would often end an Army story with I just
hope none of my kids or grandkids ever have to go through something like that.
After I
graduated high school, in a somewhat less than traditional manner, he told me
how proud he was of me, and he and grandma took me to a jewelry store downtown and
had his old black onyx ring resized for me. The ring is part of a cufflink worn
by John Thomas Caine who served as a representative for the territory of Utah.
I remember seeing and being fascinated by this ring from a young age and now
this cherished family heirloom was passed to my care.
Grandpa
often said the two best decisions he made were marrying Grandma and working for
the Deseret News. He loved photography and working as a photographer, he
documented a lot of Utah History in his 40+ year career. He took many award winning photos. He also served on the city council for South
Salt Lake City for many years. He was
over the Police and Fire departments for a time and also over the water
department for the city.
The Saturday
before he passed away my wife and I were up at the VA for a visit. As bad as he
felt he still smiled and said to us “See that little blonde gal (he thought
Grandma’s white hair was blonde) that’s my little sweetheart” His last word to
me were about the love of his life, and that says a lot and will stick with me
forever.
