We lost a dear friend this week. Al Dauenhauer -- most of us called him Grandpa Al -- completed his circle of life and now has the pick of the pasture as he chooses teams to pull his hay rides up in heaven.
I hardly remember when Al started offering horse-drawn hayrides during Papa's Pumpkin Patch. It just seemed natural to invite him to join our weekend festivities. He brought such a gentle, friendly spirit to Papa's and loved sharing his passion for horses and the outdoors with everyone who climbed on board his hay ride.
Al and his wife, Elaine, live just north of Papa's, and he'd often come over during the weeks before we opened to help unload pumpkins or put up tents or fix wagons. The work didn't matter to him, helping out did.
Al leaves a long legacy with his children and grandchildren. In fact, it is his son, Alden, and grandson, Chase, who will carry on his legacy at Papa's when they return for Papa's Polar Patch to provide horse-drawn sleigh rides.
The circle of life can be hard and it often leaves a gap. In Grandpa Al's case, we miss him deeply but we trust his spirit and family legacy will continue with Papa's.
Talk to you soon,
Papa
Thursday, December 11, 2008
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