Stephanie Pitts
1/6/2008
11:18:45 AM | Dan of course was the "biggest" of my brothers, although not the oldest. When i saw him the friday before Christmas I remember him saying "307 pounds of man, the biggest Hodgson.... I'm not sayin, I'm just sayin". Dan always had to one-up us in some way.
Dan was a kid person- thats why God placed him in the Hodgson family. He always reminded me that HE changed my diapers, and called himslef the "baby whisperer", able to put me to sleep at his command. I know a lot of pictures of me growing up Dan was in them- even then with one of us in his arms. As we got older Dan told me of his theory that God put him on earth to "perpetuate the species"- this became quite evident as he had always had to have a little one to "give him some lovins".
I will always remember how much Dan supported, encouraged, and believed in me growing up. He was the number one storyteller of Dad- keeping him real to us. He was at every big event in my life, and when he arrived he would have at least 2 cell phones, a digital camera, video camera and a munchkin in the other arm, and loudly and boldly state "Don't worry, Im here now...and iv'e brought my troops." It was as if we were to have a sigh of relief, that the party officially could go on- the main event had arrived. He would then proceed with his next quest "where is the food?!?"
I know I certainly could go on for hours about how wonderful and genuine he was. Iv'e never seen anyone more passionate about their job. Dan lived and breathed CentiMark. Every five years he would gladly sport his new "bling" in his ring and say "Stephanie- even tho you are a girl- If nursing doesn't work out- I've got a job for you." Dan thought everyone should work for him, of course.
Most of all I will always remember how devoted he was to his family. No matter how early he had to wake up, or how many miles away- Dan would go anywhere and be back at home with his family that night. To say he loved his kids would be all too modest for Dan, he was soo proud of them.
Although it doesn't seem real that he is gone, I keep reminding myself. But what encourages me the most is to know that Dan got the best Christmas gift of all. He is in heaven, hanging out with his two brothers and our Dad- telling stories, catching up and sharing that Dan humor with God.
Dan may not be here as he was, but Dan made sure there was plenty of him here for a long time. In his 7 kids- soon to be 8- we can still find his hugs, blue eyes, smiles and energy. In his 6 siblings his humor, and in his Mindy, Mom, family and friends we will always here his stories. Either with his well known Dan humor, or as sugar coated as needed. What a gift Dan has left for us- in each of us. |
