Hank, a favorite cousin
When I was a little girl, I told my mother that I wanted to marry my favorite cousin, Hank. She explained that girls were not allowed to marry their first cousins, so I changed my wish: I wanted Hank to be my big brother. Even now, I would still love to claim him as my big brother.
One Christmas, sometime after my father’s celebration of life, Hank piled my son Jeff, my nephew Eric Woods, and me into his Tesla, and off we zoomed down Columbia Parkway toward downtown Cincinnati. We parked and spent the afternoon marveling at the city’s beautiful Art Deco architecture. Hank was the perfect host and tour guide because he truly understood architecture and had such a discerning eye for everything artistic.
It remains one of the most memorable afternoons I have ever spent. As we traveled along Columbia Parkway, Hank repeatedly stopped and started to demonstrate the remarkable pickup and speed of his Tesla. One unhappy driver gave us the middle finger nearly all the way from Mariemont to Hyde Park!
I am also grateful that I was able to spend two days with Hank in Boca Grande and see his beautiful home. I met his cats, had an island tour, enjoyed dinner and watched some German opera. I knew he loved opera because he used to fly his plane from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh and go to the opera with me! When we were children, we went to the opera when it was still being held at the Cincinnati Zoo, my siblings and I, and all 4 Yeiser cousins.
Hank had created a magical atmosphere with flameless candles strategically placed throughout his home. I now do the same in both my Pittsburgh home and my Florida home. I have always thought of Hank each time I relit one of those candles. Now, when I see their glow every evening, I will smile at his memory.
Hank was a dear friend with an enormous heart, with a special love not only for people, but also for animals. I am so glad that he and Dude and all his crabs and various friends are together again. Until next time….
With love from Weasie