Nicole Swan
19. Asking if I could help you when you were working on the house. Even though you probably wanted to work on it alone, you still let me hammer some nails into the wood. That always made me feel very special, like you actually needed my help.
20. Demolishing the kitchen. I remember a sledgehammer and crowbars! We made quite a mess!
21. My graduation day from high school. You and Mom threw me a big party with friends, food, and cake. Thank you for being so proud of me.
22. The day I went into labor with my son (your grandson, Jacob) and after work you came to see me at the hospital, even though you had to go home to feed the animals. I was so happy to see you; no one else came - I was all by myself. Jacob was born on June 10, 1999, and is currently 23 years old.
23. Cutting, chopping and hauling wood together. I never liked doing it, but it was all worth it because I got to do it with you.
24. When you were shoveling the horse stalls, and you'd give me rides in the wheelbarrow. Eventually, I took over that task and I did the same thing... I gave Jacob rides in the wheelbarrow too.
25. Going to "Kermits" to go swimming. I remember the long walk from the cabin to the sandbar. I believe you and Mom taught me to stick my face in the water without being scared. It took me a while, but I overcame it.
26. The weekend beach parties at the "Mouth of the Huron" every summer. When I was a teenager, I was happy that the "adults" let me join in on playing euchre and beach volleyball.
27. The parties at the Sturgeon River. I remember one time one of the young kids on a floatie started screaming because he was floating down the river. I went after him, and he was grabbing onto me and pulling me under. I was so scared, I screamed but nothing came out of my mouth. You realized what was going on, and you LITERALLY saved my life... again. You grabbed me and brought me to the bank of the river and then went after the boy.
I'm sure there are more, but these are the memories that come to mind right now. All of these are wonderful memories, and I feel so very blessed to have been a part of your life. You are a very special person. You are a Vietnam veteran of the Marines, you taught children and molded young minds, went to Oklahoma Horseshoeing School to learn the trade of a farrier, and adopted two children and raised them with love. Thank you for everything, Daddy. I love you to the moon and back!
Your Daughter,
Nicole M. Hommer (Swan)
