Daddy

Dennis Michael Hauck, Sr.

December 20, 1949-August 12, 2010

Beloved Husband, Best Friend and Soul Mate to one

Amazing Father, Provider, Best Friend, and Council to four

Silly and Eccentric Father in Law to three

Super Pop-Pop and Playmate to seven

Brother, Uncle, Friend, Neighbor to countless....

A part of me is gone forever. It can never be filled, replaced or found. Half of who made me, physically, spiritually, emotionally, morally, ethically and lovingly has gone on to a Better Place. I can hardly just start writing about my happy, blessed life on here without sharing the news that my Daddy has passed on and share who he was to me.

My father was born a few months pre-mature, ironically, his coming into our world and leaving our world were the only things in his life that he did quick. My son fondly calls him "the Pokey lil' Pop-Pop" because if you knew him, he did everything cautiously and at times painfully slow. The doctor who delivered him prophetically declared to my grandparents that "he was just fighting to see the world". And, see the world he did.

There are all kinds of stories from his brothers and sisters about his impish antics as a child. How he was always getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar, most likely because his innocent spirit was put up to it by some mischievous older brothers. How nuns tsk-tsked his dreamy, unfocused nature during the school hours... although he did have a spirit of adventure and I am sure he did his fair share of concocting mischief too. My Dad also had the worst case of undiagnosed ADHD I ever saw, I am sure that was fun in Catholic school in the 50's. Although, he couldn't have been all that bad, his grade school principle (an 80 something year old nun) came to his viewing and funeral to share how every Easter and Christmas in the past few years he sent her a letter with a bit of money to buy herself a holiday treat.

My dad's first passion was flying. He wanted to fly so bad that he worked his way around a not so local small airport in Downingtown, Pa to earn money to pay for lessons. He got his pilots license, before his drivers license I think. He was 16.

I LOVED flying with my Dad. I would beg to go with him, even if it meant sitting for hours while he painstakingly went over every nook and cranny of the plane before take-off. I would patiently wait in the cockpit and pretend I was the pilot. When we would fly, he'd let me steer and help during take-off. It was the only time I felt like I had him all to myself. When I was in 3rd grade my Dad got his Cessna 140 tail-dragger, it looked a lot like this. It was a dream come true for him. He flew privately on and off up until 9/11 when the FAA revoked his license because of some error with his physical. He was missing half of a thumb, an accident while working on a flight check at work. He never got around to fighting it. Someday, when my kids are a bit more grown and I have the time to invest... I will finally get my pilots license too. He will be my co-pilot, and like a little girl I will have him all to myself again.

Dad and Mom met in high school, at a dance. She was 14, he just 17. They were together ever since. I can't put into words the abundance of love between them, but it showed to everyone who knew them. I never heard a cross word spoken between them, a slammed door, or dirty look. I am sure it happened from time to time, but never in front of us. He taught me I was worth a good, loving man. I was worth being spoiled. I found that perfect mix in the man I married.

At 19, he enlisted bravely in an unpopular war and served with the US Army as a forward observer. He made it home safely, to marry his high school sweetheart and my beautiful mother. They celebrated 39 years of being newlyweds on May 8th... they lived and loved everyday like it was fresh and new. What a gift they gave the four of us!

Dad eventually re-enlisted with the NY Air National Guard, and this is where he spent the vast part of his career, a loadmaster, then a chief loadmaster on a C-5 Galaxy. He attained the status of E-9 the highest one can go as an enlisted man, and also scored over 10,000 hours flying time. This is rare and impressive. He got to see the world by flying. I can't say that I know lots of details about his job, all I know is when he was home it was like being on a vacation. And, when he left I begged him to pack me in his suitcase and take me with him. I was a complete Daddy's girl, and would not leave his side when he was home. One time, he talked the pilot into flying that giant bird over our schools. I was in the 5th grade. It sounded like a freight train was running down the hallway. My whole class ran to the window to see that C-5 flying 2,000 feet above us, all I could think to say was "I think that's my DAD!" People in the town thought we were under some kind of attack, it was hilarious.

Dennis, Damien, Me and Tristan came over a spread of 18 years. Tristan, of course, being the great surprise 0f 1991. I am going to miss him desperately at times. But, he is imprinted on all my brothers. I can view my father's passionate spirit, love of debate and politics in Dennis. I can hear my father's dead on, level headed advice and unassuming way in Damien. I can see my father's good looks, mannerisms, and love of adventure in Tristan. And we all love a good roll and bakery confection, especially doughnuts.

My Dad loved Marlborough cigarette. He loved percolated coffee, not drip. Rush and Glenn. Roast Beef, mashed potatoes w/gravy and green peas. He loved anything old, especially if it made him feel like a kid again; Black Jack gum, going to the seashore, or working on his 1960 Ford Falcon. He loved Ireland. He loved his constant search in our genealogical background for one more piece to the puzzle, and loved to share it with anyone interested in hearing about it. He loved children and animals, he fell somewhere in between Dr. Doolittle and the pied piper. He loved Christmas, and truly lived with it in his heart throughout the whole year. He loved Charles Dickens and Masterpiece Theatre. Coke from a glass bottle. He loved Willie Nelson, the Bee-Gees and Stevie Nicks. He loved bacon and eggs. He loved being a Pop-Pop. He loved us. He loved my mother. He loved God and believed in angels.

I will miss the way he smells of smoke, soap and coffee. I will miss the way he'd sing around the house. I will miss the way his heal-toe strut echoed through the house. I will miss hearing and watching him laugh, because sometimes it was funnier to watch him laugh than laugh at whatever was funny in the first place. I will miss the weird little gifts he'd pick up for me. I will miss staying up to the wee hours talking about everything and nothing. I will miss his "Mr. Fix Anything" skill, he had the patience of Job and could quite literally fix just about anything. I will miss our beach trips. I am so happy we did those crazy trips, the chaos was worth it. I will miss so so much.

I wish I would have called more. I wish I would have danced with you at Uncle Mike's wedding. I wish I would have stayed at the house Saturday night, instead of getting a hotel. I wish, I wish, I wish....

The sadness is overwhelming at times. I think of all the parts of my life I won't get to share with him anymore. I wonder what silly song he would have made up and sung to my little girl to make her giggle and fall in love with him. I wonder how long Sam will still talk about him like he is still here, how his memory of the Pop-Pop man will endure. I wonder how long it will take for me to understand why life can be so hard and complicated, and full of beautiful gifts too.

I know he is with me. I know he will be a guardian angel to my children. I know we will dance to our favorite songs many, many,many years from now.

I love you Daddy. I am proud to be your daughter.

35 weeks

No pictures of this mammoth Mama, sorry! Maybe next week... by the end of the day when Cody gets home I look pretty bedraggled.

So how are baby bean and I doing? We are hanging in there with this unbelievable heat and humidity. I have all the normal complaints of back pain, sleepiness and general crankiness... but overall I am actually feeling pretty great. I have gained 15 pounds so far, but I look like I have gained 25! She is still breech as of my last appointment, she is up pretty high in my rib cage and has caused some bruising and soreness. Some of the other moms I know talked about feeling the baby really low, and almost feared s/he would "fall out", I haven't felt this way at all. I almost feel like she is trying to push her way out through my belly button or my esophagus. Nesting has been huge this time around, I've redone the kitchen, a few closets, the front porch to name a few of my "projects". And, the nursery is nearly complete. I have just a few last finishing touches to add.

We have also nailed down the C-section date, September 10th will be baby girl's birthday. Is that weird? It feels so strange to 'know' when she will be born. And, no... no name yet. We might be getting close though.

I feel sorry for poor Sam, who hasn't had much play time because I can't stand to stand, play or even drive anywhere to do anything with him. He is being a pretty good sport about it all. He just looks at me and says "cause your back hurts?" Although, I can hang pretty well at the pool, as a result, he has become quite a proficient swimmer.

Tristan's Home!

Tristan finally made it home after nine months away in basic training, survival school, POW camp and lastly, his loadmaster training school. He graduated with flying colors and now he is off to do his flight training. We were lucky enough to be up when he got his first leave! What a homecoming! Three very excited nephews greeted him and teary Mom. He has been in Texas a long, long time... he is home with my folks for another week before heading to his station in Dover, DE.

Beach Getaway

I guess you could say the theme of this summer for Sam and I is lots and lots of quality time together. I am trying to soak up as much "Sammy time" as possible. I'm hoping his world won't be totally rocked by his baby sister, and I am trying to spend as much time doing fun stuffs together... since we are approaching the last few weeks of just him and me.

He is my little buddy, my helper, my comedian, and my whole heart. I hope that he knows that this will never change, and that his role in my life will only get bigger.

So, here I lament... my little baby just isn't a baby anymore! Every time I turn around he has grown another inch and learned a new 5 syllable word!

While poor Cody was left behind in HP to work, be a bachelor, and tackle his 'Honey Do' list... Sam and I took a trip up north to the beautiful Garden State for a vacation with some of my family. It was 2 weeks packed with adventures! Beware lots and lots of pics to follow.

After a long drive north (we followed Dennis & Holly), we took a ferry boat from Lewes, DE to Cape May, NJ. The boys loved this! It was about a 90 minute crossing. We saw some dolphins and mostly just took in the sunset and fresh air. I didn't get sea sick for once.

The next day was filled with beach fun, Damien and Jr. came down to spend the day with us and the boys had a blast all together. I was exhausted from the trip up, so it was nice that Sam was ultra entertained with his cousins and barely paid me any mind.

Unfortunately for Sam, he never really warmed up to the whole beach-ocean thing. He didn't really care for the water and would only go near it if someone was holding him. Pop-Pop and Sam did a lot of this, I don't know what they talked about... but I am sure it was interesting. It was a really, really hot week. This made him a bit irritable while at the beach, at times this made me frustrated. I tried to keep in mind that by day 3 he really missed his Daddy. A lot.

Even Ruby got her little toes wet! Girlfriend seemed to really enjoy the beach, Holly would stroll her down and she would sleep soundly. It must have been the waves and salt air.

We did a little site seeing over in Margate, and paid a visit to Lucy the Elephant. The kids enjoyed touring the inside of her, she has quite a history.With Sam's little Ocean aversion in full swing, I suggested going to the water park over in Ocean City one day to cool off. Did I mention how hot it was? He really enjoyed it! He wanted to go back every day. There was actually a ton for the little guys to do, and it was a perfect way to break up the week. Uncle Hamp and Pop-Pop had to take charge on the rides, since preggers here couldn't do any of them.

At the Boardwalk. On top of the Ferris Wheel!

Cape May Lighthouse... Sam and the boys climbed all 199 steps with Holly and Dennis. Although, their little legs were tired and they had some help coming back down.

This is the little beach bungalow that my parents brought me home from the hospital too. We lived there till I was about 2, and had to move because we were busting out of it. I had never seen it before, so it was fun to go visit and explore Cape May a bit.

Finally!

Here she is! Our latest edition to the family... Lil' Miss Jane Carolyn. She was born July 8th to Karen and Damien. Everyone is doing great. Jane is a sweet, little cuddle bug. She didn't fuss or make a peep during our whole visit, just looked around taking it all in. I thought at first, she looked like a fair haired version of her big brother; however, after looking at these picture I am seeing more of her Daddy. I also see a smidge of her cousin Sam too. It was much to quick of a visit, but with the three boys in tow we didn't want to overwhelm the new family. After two weeks together, Sam and the Hauckies had been a bit 'energetic'.

The girls having a little chat!

I can't believe after four boys in a row, we have gotten so lucky to have three girls in a row too. Ruby, Jane and un-named baby girl Fielden will be 2 months apart a piece. I have visions of tea parties, sleep overs, and tutus. I can't wait to meet my little girl, seeing Jane made me ultra excited.