I feel so fortunate to have a lifetime of wonderful memories of time spent with Dennis! As a teen, my family visited (all the way from California!) I remember our time spent in the house Susan and Dennis  rented in Baton Rouge so fondly. Although I was surely a goofy teen who talked too much, Dennis always took the time to listen and make me feel as if my ideas and opinions mattered. Plus, he introduced me to so much great music on that trip and gifted me an Otis Redding record that my dad said I was going to wear the grooves off of because I played it so often!  A few years later we visited Susan and Dennis in their trailer at Bull Spring Farms. Dennis took me horse back riding and made the only lima bean dish that I have ever enjoyed. We picked the lima beans fresh off of the beans growing in their garden! And still more years later we visited and got to meet Robin, the light of Dennis’ life. At some point during the trip, Robin stayed behind to have some Nana and Pawpaw time while a bunch of us went to Dauphin Island. At the most unexpected times during our visit to the island, Dennis would spontaneously shout out, “I miss Robin!” – and he meant it! Many more wonderful trips to Louisiana followed, as well as good times spent in California when he and Susan (and Robin!) came to visit.

Dennis taught me a golden rule I try to live by – If you don’t like the situation, change it. And if you can’t change the situation, change your attitude about it. (A third option is complaining and I’ll admit, I’ve been known to complain.) Sometimes when I feel my cranky pants getting tight on me, I visualize Dennis’ sparkling blue eyes and fantastic grin and I remember his advice – and I change my situation or my attitude! I’m always grateful to Dennis in those moments! As a young person, I so appreciated both Susan and Dennis’ examples of loving friends and family deeply and with a generosity of spirit that is impressive even when you take southern hospitality into account! My world and my heart are bigger thanks to the two of them.

And of course, Dennis was just plain fun to be with! And whip smart! If I had to be stranded in the wilderness or on a desert island, I’d want Dennis on my team, that’s for sure. Because chances are, he could make it, build it, fix it, figure it out — or at least have fun trying! Right?

Ah Dennis, the world is a little less bright now that you are gone. I’ll miss you forever. Thank you for a lifetime of good times, memories and a whole lotta love.

Cousin Catherine