Thursday, November 12, 2020

My Handsome Loving Hubby, Gone Four Years Today

Yes, my dear husband, William Hangen, died four years ago today. How sad. We shared 47 happy years together, and he died a few days before our 45th wedding anniversary.

Here are some photos.


Lane, Will and Colt on Will's birthday in August 2016, he was age 69.


Above photo: Will and I on vacation in Palm Springs in 2004. Of course he took his mountain bike with him so he could explore trails. His articles and photos of adventurous rides appeared in many biking and travel magazines. Below photo: Will and I enjoying Thanksgiving in 2015. You can see 4 place settings for us and Colt and Lane. Little did we know that would be our last Thanksgiving with Will. So sad.

Will and two guys he rode on mountain trails with.



Colt, me, Lane and Bounce at our first Christmas without our darling Will. We were still in a state of shock. We adopted Bounce at Thanksgiving in 2016.


I found a spot in a city park near our house that allows memorial benches, so I bought one for Will. The park is about a block from our house, and the bench is near children's swings and a skateboard area. I had them carve a mountain bike on one of the boards. The bench says "Bike Adventures" because Will loved riding his mountain bikes every day on nearby trails, and in wild areas on many vacations and magazine writing trips. In the photo below is a rose made of straw, left there by someone, we don't know who, but someone who misses Will too.


"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

41 comments:

The Feminine Energy said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. May the good memories you have of your husband carry you through this hard anniversary of his death. ~Andrea xoxo

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful tribute. The bench will give many people comfort.

Sue in Suffolk said...

Lovely Memories with the photos

Kathy G said...

Anniversaries like this are always so hard. Sending positive thoughts your way today.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Terra - I feel for you at this time ... especially now - but am sure Cole and Lane are there for you. Love the photos - take care and enjoy sitting on your bench with happy memories ... all the very best - Hilary

Pamela M. Steiner said...

My heart goes out to you today, Terra. Praying God will bring comfort to you as you remember what a very special man your hubby was. I love that bench that you had engraved in the park. That is really special, and a very positive way to remember him. So sweet that someone left that little rose. wow, yes, your hubby was handsome, and so are your sons. You are blessed with two very loving and handsome young men to help take care of you now. What a blessing. But I know you will always miss your hubby. I hope you and your boys can have a happy Thanksgiving, giving thanks for the gift of such a wonderful husband and father, who now is rest in peace in heaven and waiting for you to join him someday. God bless you...

Martha said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. The memorial bench for Will is wonderful!

Lin said...

Aw, I'm sorry for this anniversary, as I wish it wasn't so. :(

He certainly looks and sounds like he enjoyed life. I love the bench...what a nice way to remember him in the community.

Is that Palm Springs, CA?? If so, we love to go there each spring.

justjill said...

A lovely man from his pics. xxx

Betsy said...

Oh my dear Terra, I could feel the sadness, pain and yet the joy in your words here. It's obvious that your family loves each other very much and that you miss your Will. I'm so sorry that your years together were cut short, but reading this, I know that you look back and relive the memories you made together with love. He sounds like an amazing man and your sons look much like him.
Take care my friend and I will be praying for you today.
Blessings,
Betsy

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Terra, a beautiful tribute and look back at happy times. So sorry for your loss.

Junkchiccottage said...

Oh what a sweet post to honor and remember your sweet hubby. I know you never have this kind of loss go away but hoping you are finding with time it makes it less heartbreaking to be without him. Glad you have such great memories to hold onto.
Hugs,
Kris

Christine said...

So sorry for your loss, wonderful memories.

At Home In New Zealand said...

Feeling for you Terra. I still miss my hubby. Life moves on but the memories are with us forever. Sending you love and hugz, Mxx

Deanna said...

Hugs and may God comfort you.

MadSnapper said...

I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your husband. I know even with 4 Years Gone your heart still hurts and looks for him. I do remember you saying that you adopted bounce and that's what kept you saying when your husband died but I didn't realize it had been that recent. It's good you have these photos for sweet memories

Nellie said...

Sending hugs and special thoughts for peace and comfort. Wonderful to have good memories!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

These anniversaries can be so difficult. Pain subsides but never goes away. Sending you virtual hugs and wishing you continued strength.

Eileen Rife said...

Holding you close in prayer as you remember your dear Will and continue your journey through grief. Praying you sense the Lord's peace and presence in a special way today.

kath001 said...

Anniversaries are hard, and when they happen near a holiday you get reminded at every turn. Thinking of you and wishing you peace.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear, dear Terra ~ It's hard to believe it's been 4 years already. This post is a lovely tribute to your dear hubby. What a great idea the bench was. ~ We miss the love we had with our husbands, a love that will never end. Next month will be 8 years for me. ~ Love, hugs and prayers for you dear Terra ~ FlowerLady

dori said...

This post is so touching! Full of love and friendship and life together, happy blessed life! Will and you are such a beautiful couple - - - Seeing these scenes I cannot believe he is aprat now. But I see your faith and trusting in heaven makes you light and full of positive energy. Sad with you and full of respect - your bloggerfriend from the Bavarian Forest.

THE LORD BLESS YOU

I love the holy Bible, too - -

Jennifer said...

I remember my shock when you wrote to me that your beloved Will had died. I think about your grief often, and how much you must miss him, and I wish for you peace and comfort. Hugs, my dear friend.

Marie Smith said...

A day to celebrate the life of one you loved. Thinking of you!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I'm so sorry you lost him...that doesn't seem old at all. How wonderful to get the memorial bench to be enjoyed by so many. I keep you in my prayers. So many have lost their sweet husbands since we started blogging and I pray for everyone that has lost someone close to them. Sweet hugs, Diane

Margaret D said...

Lovely memories of your late husband you have. Wonderful post. Take care.

Mari said...

You're right - good looking guy. More importantly, from what you've said, I know he was a good guy.
I enjoyed the photos. Hugs to you today!

Granny Marigold said...

You are in my thoughts today as you mark this sad anniversary.

Linda said...

Love and prayers from Texas tonight. May your heart be comforted with all the love of your 47 years together. You have been so blessed.....
Love you, Terre!

Ann said...

Sending hugs and loving thoughts. Never an easy anniversary. That was a lovely tribute to your husband.

Retired Knitter said...

So sorry for the pain you still feel. Sometimes the void that is left behind by a loved one's passing is just never filled. You are in my thoughts.

Ellen D. said...

Sorry for your loss. Hope your happy memories shared with your sons bring you comfort.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

The sorrow never goes away, but neither do the wonderful memories that you made together. I hope that they give you peace and solace on these difficult days.

Blondie's Journal said...

I remember when you lost Will, it was very sad to read. It makes me feel better to know you have two sons to look after you (and you-them!). You are so active and have a lot of friends. But as Arlene says, the sorrow never goes away.

🙏🙏🙏

Jane

Nil @ The Little House by the Lake said...

So sorry for your loss, Terra.
Hugs xxx

Red Rose Alley said...

A very nice photo of you and your husband. I know you are missing him very much. Sending thoughts of comfort and love to you today, Terra. : )

~Sheri

Kathie said...

**hugs** my dad passed away 3 years this December and I still miss him every single day!I pray the Holy Spirit sends down His peace to you, today and ever more!

Wildflower Adventures said...

Such a nice tribute. The bench seems to be in a lovely place.

Kay said...

I am so sorry for your loss. 47 years might seem like a long time, but it’s never enough when you love someone. This is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful husband.

Pensive Pensioner said...

Oh, he looks like a lovely man and such a loss. Sending condolences and hugs xxx

Liz Hinds said...

So sad. He looks lovely.