The Engleson Files

Today I want to toast a glass to my two grandpas - Grandpa Engleson (upper picture) and Grandpa Wilson (below). Both have long since passed but everytime I see these pictures of them I always remember the wonderful times spent with them as a young child. One of the charms of my Grandpa E was his playful shtick of being the old curmudgeon - he usually portrayed the gruff exterior but was always playful at heart. In many ways I have tried to continue this role as a teacher and absolutely love to keep my students guessing as they are forced to endure my classes; the image of Grandpa E chomping on his cigars will forever be ingrained with me. My Grandpa Wilson is a another story - early in my childhood, Grandpa W was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and my only true memories of him were in his dwindling years. In listening to my grandmother’s memories of him there is no question he sounded like a wonderful, kind-hearted man and it is clear to this day that they were both truly in love. He served overseas in World War II and was a wonderful father to his three children when he returned home; I truly wish I could have known him better before he left us. So even though both my grandfathers are not with us anymore there is no question their impact still lives on. Whether it be stories heard, or stories remembered, there is always a special place for them in my heart!