Grandpa Hakanen 001

He was the "Rock of Gibraltar". I tried to imitate him when I first became a Dad, but I couldn't "carry it off". He was as solid as a rock. You knew he was truly a kind and thoughtful person but we kids were always at our best behavior when around him! He never spoke much English, He would say something in Finn to Grandma and she would tell us what was on his mind. Occasionally, the two of them would have a small discussion, in Finn, before she would relay his thoughts. That's when you knew she didn't necessarily agree with him. Other that long Sunday rides with Uncle Elmer, he very seldom left the homestead. Grandma and Uncle Elmer would go to the movies on Fridays and Saturdays but I don't recall him ever going. I don't recall him ever going into town. All the Finn families came to him for help and advise. I think he helped them often. In the Summer the Finn men from all around would visit with him and his brothers on the front porch and talk for hours, in Finn of course!