DOROTHY MAY ADAMS HANSEN

My Aunt Dody

Written by Terry Conner 

    My Aunt Dody was born in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. Dody was born at home and the doctor thought that she was stillborn so he put her in a basket behind the stove.  After awhile, to everyone’s surprise and delight, they heard the baby crying. I’m sure there were a lot of grateful prayers on that special day.  The family moved to Spokane, Washington when she was around four years old.  I remember so very well this story that both Dody and my mom told me about when they were kids.  It seems every spring, Nana would give the house a great cleaning and would bring out the carpets to hang on the clothesline and beat until all the dust was gone from them.  My mom would plead with Dody to let her roll her up in one of the carpets.  She would beg and beg until Dody would finally give in and say “ ok, but you must promise to unroll me when I tell you I want to get out”.  Of course, mom promised with great sincerity.  So, she would roll her up, and after awhile, Dody would ask her to unroll her. And my mother would respond, “G’by Dody, I’ll see ya later” with a lilt in her voice.  After some time, my Nana would finally hear Dody’s muffled cries and set her free. This did not happen one time…it was year after year.

  The family then moved to Seattle after Dody had graduated from High school.  There she attended the University of Washington for several years.  I’m thinking those Adams girls must have been something.  Two lovely young ladies that were so very different.  Dody with her beautiful blond hair and fair complexion, and Mom with her raven hair and olive complexion.  Dody hung out with mom’s band at the different frat parties and that is where she met my wonderful uncle Reed.  It’s rumored that his superb dancing abilities are what won her heart.

  My cousin Bob was born eleven months after their wedding, and cousin Ron arrived seven years after that.  How I remember their house at 345 NE 94^th.  I loved that house and spent a lot of time there off and on as I grew up.  My sweet aunt Dody always made me feel so very special.  That particular home was security and love to me and I smile every time I remember it.  I recall one evening when I was quite small wanting to help make dinner.  Mom said I was too young, but aunt Dody found the perfect job for me.  I was to make the butter!  There was this plastic bag with white lard in it and a small capsule of coloring. She broke the capsule for me and I mixed it and mixed it until it looked like real butter.  I was so proud.

  All thru my life, my sweet aunt and I corresponded.  How I loved getting her letters.  They were always so full of encouragement and praise.  As years went by, I must admit, I started using the phone more than the pen.  Hearing that loving voice made me very happy too.

  But, there was this time when I lived in Seattle too.  How I loved having coffee with my Aunt Dody.  It was always so special: Cup and saucer, a plate with a paper doily and cookies, sugar and cream, and napkins.  I felt like I was having tea with the queen.  And she would tell all these wonderful stories about our families.  How she could make me laugh.  These are very happy memories for me.

  I must tell you about watching basketball with my darlin’ aunt Dody.  First, she suits up in her “Sonic’s” sweat suit, puts her chair directly in front of the television, and lays out her snacks and drinks.  This woman is intent on the game!  She knows each player’s name and is talking to them constantly…”oh sweetheart, don’t do that…that nasty ole ref will give you a foul.  There you go, that’s my good boy….take your time sweetheart, you can do it.”  If you didn’t know better, you’d think that each of those guys was her own child.     

   I was so thrilled when she came to visit me in Florida.  Just us girls.  What fun we had!  We made fudge, cooked gourmet dinners (some we couldn’t even eat), played cards and games, talked for hours, and laughed and laughed. It was a great time for me.

  I truly believe that she was the sweetest woman God ever made and I miss her very much.  My cousin Bob, told me that when she died, she was holding a letter from me.  That made me feel so good.  He also told me that the day before she died, she had told him that she was going home tomorrow but was quite concerned about where she should get off the trolley.  He told her not to worry, but to enjoy the ride until she saw familiar surroundings.  Perfect answer cuz!