We were very lucky to get to see him last week one last time. He was a great man: one that had respect in his community, and one that had a strong faith in God and raised his family knowing God; the value of good, hard work; and how to play cards.
I don't think I have a memory of my grandfather where cards were not played during a visit or holiday. Card games were a must in the Finson House, especially when guests or family visited. I can still imagine hearing his boisterous laughter peeling out over a hand dealt or a play played that he thought he'd "gotten someone good" or was just being plain old ornery. Goodness, that laugh was contagious. Sometimes he'd get mad at cards, or the way someone played, but I don't have many memories of that. I remember the glint in his eye when he'd sit around the dining room table, dealing out the cards. I'd loved to have seen him in his youth. I am sure he was a rascal at times!
Oh, and football. How could one forget about football?! Nine our of ten times that my grandpa and dad watched football together, I thought they were going to pound the arm rests of their chairs clear through the floor! They loved to shout at the players and refs. You know, there was always a few stupid plays or rotten calls. As mad as they'd get at the game, they loved it so much. Some people just never understood that. My own husband is an avid sports fan. Maybe growing up in a family with grandpa being the kind of football fan he was prepped me for a life with a sports junkie, ha!
We didn't live close to my grandparents, so we typically saw them at the holidays and in the summer. Those are some of my fondest memories. Christmas time seems to bring to mind the most memories for me. Whether it be a hand made wooden baby doll furniture set (he made a set for the four of his granddaughters at the time, and I think toy chests for the boys one year), or his famous (to our family) made-up boxes and gift wrapping skills (tape anyone?), or proudly showing off his new chef apron for grilling - he embraced the precious moments of his life and found fun and joy in them. I love Christmas for many reasons, but I think I get nostalgic for it because of my memories spent with grandpa and the whole Finson clan.
I'll forever hold in my heart his laugh, the glint in his eye, the love he had for my grandma and all of his family, his fist-pounding football watching, and his card playing. But most of all, I'll be forever thankful that he loved my grandma and showed that he loved her - which was a living example for my dad and how he shows his love for my mom - which in turn was an example to me for how to love family, your spouse, and to enjoy all the moments big and small.
Our family was lucky to have Grandpa Claude. We will miss him dearly.
