Sunday, January 30, 2011

Hannah


January 29, 1981







Dad

Hannah was one of the “three girls” – right up next to Rachel and Sarah – her smile was incredibly beautiful. She also used to have tantrums when she was a toddler and would really let it go! But, most the time she was cute and gentle ( I think she was tankin’ up for later…) I remember “rescuing:” her from the yellow jacket nest on Oregon Street – she was traumatized! I remember her run ins with Mr. Colyar in Jr high (poor guy) Hannah started her long friendship with Jessica Gabriel. In High school she was chief matchmaker for younger brother Jared and convinced him of the need for romantic partnership. FFA! Yeah! Sheep in the backyard and “Big Mac” at Grampa’s. I used to tease Hannah about being on the meat judging team. Whenever I see Ms. Lovald at EHS I tell her how Hannah is doing. Hannah was 19 as a Senior and decided she wasn’t going to seminary for the 4th year. What could we say? Even Mom couldn’t make her go. Once, when she was a senior and was coming home late etc., I decided I needed to talk to her and kinda “lay down the law” about how she needed to change her behavior. Well, I started lecturing her about how she was going to do such and such and not do such and such, and then I noticed she was shaking her head slightly back and forth and when I stopped talking for a sec she said, “no, dad … no” I realized I was starting a battle that would not have me as a victor! So I retreated to that “persuasion and love unfeigned” scripture and we compromised. Her personality and strength of character exhibited then have since served her well! I remember being so amazed and proud of her independence when she moved to Yreka. Her work at the ambulance was amazing. A highlight was seeing her serve a mission and the unheard of success she had. The classic was when Pres Overton had she and her companion giving door approach lessons to the Elders! Hannah, you are a dynamo! Love ya tons, dad


Mom

As the third child, Hannah became the poster child for the stereotype. Yet all her strength, her smiles, her intelligence and determination has been a gift to the world, and especially me. She has taken me with her to Yreka, Australia, and Farmington. She is fresh and frank, open to changing herself where needed, without hesitation. She is always so positive and I never feel like I have to be anyone but myself around her. She is an amazing mother and wife. With Hannah, I can bear my heart and she loves me unconditionally. Every conversation leaves me wrapped securely in her loving arms, and everywhere she goes people feel that way about her. When something needs doing or someone needs rescuing, it is Hannah to whom we turn.


Sarah

Favorite memories of Hannah...

Doing the paper route... for some reason I remember one time we left the house to deliver the tri-city weekly paper (the free one). We walked about a half a block away, dumped all the papers behind a thick tree, and walked around for two hours. Mom and Dad never knew (I guess they do now!).

Cutting school-- I asked Hannah one day or her freshman year if she wanted to go to the beach instead of class. She looked mortified. I talked her into it after she was nervous about getting in trouble, and she never looked back! She's cut many many classes since that "first time"!

Her skinny legs-- She has the skinniest legs. They taper to almost pencil thinness. So much like Mom's legs!

Borrowing Money-- I probably owe her like a thousand dollars. When we were in elementary and junior high, she'd save her money from the paper route and I'd spend all mine on candy and junk food. So when my money was gone, I was like a druggie. I'd go to her begging for ten bucks, five bucks, anything to buy some sugar after school. She'd always give it to me... with all my empty promises to pay it back... she was such an obedient sister. Such a good person! :)

Happy Birthday Hannah!!!!


Jared

I knew it was Hannah's birthday today, but when I realized she was 30, that can't be right. We still both work at the Sizzler together and rock climb on the weekends. Last I remember Hannah was just out of high school working as an EMT in Yreka. She was speeding down the mountain on her snowboard at Mount Shasta, and I could barely keep up. It was just a few years ago we would ditch out on half the school day and go skimming at Moonstone. I wish Dad would have been ditching church meetings to go surfing back then, it would have made it a lot easier for Hannah and I to get some sympathy. I remember like it was yesterday, Hannah and I singing "Somewhere Out There" at the Eureka High student assembly. I remember the toy Dodger dog flying through the air toward my face, followed by 5 stitches on my right cheek, Hannah cried more than I did I think. Even though she had thick skin, I could tell she cared so much about me. When I cried, she cried harder. I wish I could have comprehended at that age the power I had over her emotions. I remember her telling me that my face paint from a ward Halloween party would make my head shrivel to the size of a pea. I have many mixed emotional memories of our childhood, but when I think about Hannah, I think about the amazing strength and determination that she carries with her, that has given me so much strength throughout our lives. Thanks Hannah, happy 30.


Miriam

We wrote to each other faithfully during both our missions. We've both had super short hair. We both wear glasses. We both love Lord of the Rings and reading in general. We went and saw the third one together when you were on call at the ambulance in Yreka! I was the first to meet Sean and you were one of the first to meet Aaron. Our husbands love each other. I have cried to you about too many things in my life to remember and you have helped lift me up every single time - I will never forget that.

I know you were put in my life for certain times and reasons. The ones mentioned above are only a few of those blessed ones.

Love ya Han.


Naomi

My Guardian. I hope you have the best birthday ever. I wish I could be there to celebrate it with you. I am so grateful that you are so loving to all of us. You are always willing to have us over, to party at Sarahs house and be the life of the party. I love that you share your wonderful daughter with us and that you are bringing another one into our lives. I cant wait to meet it!

One thing I remember is when Hannah gave me the pink lamb stuffed animal. We all argued over what it really was but it didnt matter. It was mine. I still have it and it still has the little scent thing in the top and it smells like candy. I love you Hannah. Thanks for being the best guardian ever!!!

Naomi

2 comments:

Hannah said...

Not sure if it's pregnancy or just pure emotion. This was so cool for me to read. Makes me feel so special and loved. I laughed and cried while reading this. Thanks so much... was the best birthday gift ever!

Unknown said...

Hannah,
This is Gideon. I'm sorry I didn't write one on your birthday, and I hope you don't get mad. Just kidding. Some of my best memories of Provo are going down to Hannah and Sean's when I lived a couple of blocks away with Jared before my mission. Our house was so junky so I spent many nights (rarely sleeping though) at Hannah's apartment. When Sean went to boot camp and Jared went to Alaska, I drove up to Farmington many times to hang out with Hannah. She always treated me like I was grown up and was such a good, genuine friend. I was lucky to become such good friends with Hannah while I lived in Provo. I tell Katie how much I miss those days sometimes. Sorry we are both so busy, but I'll always be thankful that Hannah was such a good older sister to me. Thanks Hannah. Love Gideon.