Happy, Sad, Good, Bad
The last few days have been a roller coaster of emotions for me. Several things have happened that make me sad, while other things have brought me joy. I suppose I’ll start with the sad first.
Yesterday, I learned that a dear friend died suddenly from a heart attack. Charles Sanderson was a gentle bear of a man, who spread love and warmth everywhere he went. He touched so many lives with his kindness and joyful spirit. He had a wonderful sense of humor and I found myself with a grin plastered to my face whenever I spent any time in his presence.
I “met” Charles through the Alaska Living Group after joining back in 2002. Not long after Steve and I arrived here in Alaska, members from the group gathered at Pioneer Park for a bbq/picnic. I took this photo of Charles on that day. Charles and his family arrived in AK only months before we did.
Charles worked as a locksmith, and when he handed Steve his card that day he told us to feel free to call on him whenever we needed his services. As “luck” would have it, Steve and I were locked out of his still-running truck while attending one of our first dogsled races. It was a Sunday in December and -40F. Steve pulled Charles’ business card out of his wallet and we called him for assistance. He didn’t hesitate to drive all the way from his home in North Pole, taking time away from his family, and coming out on a frigid day, to get us back into our truck.
He refused payment, but we couldn’t let him go home without something. We asked him to follow us to our house on Fort Wainwright, where Steve pulled a moose roast and a couple of halibut steaks out of the freezer. Charles was happy to receive the meat/fish as payment. It was the least we could do after pulling him away from his family on a Sunday morning.
A few years later, while Steve was deployed to Iraq, I joined several members of the Alaska Living Group at the local Denny’s for breakfast. I was so lonely for my husband; he had been gone for about 4 months by then. Anyone who has ever gone through a long separation knows that “touch” quickly becomes the thing you miss the most - especially if you’re in a relationship in which hand-holding and hugs are a ‘many times a day’ occurrence.
At breakfast, Charles asked me how I was doing, and was very sympathetic to my fears and worries about Steve’s safety and well-being. His expression of appreciation for the service our military members provide, was so heartfelt, that my eyes filled with tears. He gave me a big bear hug then - the first hug I’d had since sending my husband off to war. I felt his care and concern for me, while in the shelter of his huge arms, and I knew that if I needed anything, Charles and his family would help in any way they could. That’s the kind of people they are.
When I think of Charles, I remember his voice. It could be very loud and booming when telling a joke or laughing deep belly laughs. But at the same time it could be gentle and loving when he spoke of his children and how proud of them he was. Or when he spoke of his love for Morgan (Moe), his beloved wife. Everyone knew how much he adored his family - and they him. He was a fine example of a husband and father. My heart breaks for Moe and his children: Sarah (age 16), Heidi (age 15) and Christopher (age 11). Charles, you will be sorely missed. Rest peacefully, my friend.
