Nels gave me the nickname Heatherkins and I've never heard anyone use it since. He was an original. Being around him meant having someone in your corner that you could laugh with, get in trouble with, and ultimately feel cherished with.
He used to beg me to give him backrubs and head scratches in AP Music Theory because he claimed no one else could match my skill - he said I had exceptionally strong hands from years of playing the piano. . . And I believed him! I actually took great pride in this new-found 'talent' which ultimately, served him well, as you might imagine.
His enthusiasm for life was contagious. When I first moved into Oly Jr. he convinced me that Mt. Olympus was a resort with a McDonald's and that I could hike it in a bikini with flipflops. He never gave into my self-inflicted drama and was always a great audience with an open laugh and fabulous sense of humor.
I loved feeling connected to him through music. I loved hearing him play the viola and it fueled my passion to play the piano. He was easy to trust, easy to love, and a true friend to everyone. He truly shaped some of my most formative years and his impact will forever be felt in my life and in the lives of my dearest friends. My favorite moments with Nels were when he would try to level with me--all kidding aside. He would put his hand on my shoulder and peer into my eyes with his wry little grin and then say something inquisitive and sincere like, "Come on. You can tell me. . .You didn't REALLY think there was a McDonalds on top of Mt. Olympus, did you?" He had my number from the very beginning.
How I wish I could've grown old with him. He would've always seen me as the best version of myself, because that is how he saw everyone. I love you Nels, and I will always honor your memory.
Heather, What I love about that story the most is perhaps something we will only share with those that were on the hike. He was so positively strategic in his efforts to get us to the top. I love that memory! I too have memories of Nels, putting his hand on my shoulder, peering into my eyes, and convincing me to share a feeling or secret that I dared not share with another. He had a gift. It brings a smile to my face to remember all these great moments we shared with Nels.
Nels gave me the nickname Heatherkins and I've never heard anyone use it since. He was an original. Being around him meant having someone in your corner that you could laugh with, get in trouble with, and ultimately feel cherished with.
ReplyDeleteHe used to beg me to give him backrubs and head scratches in AP Music Theory because he claimed no one else could match my skill - he said I had exceptionally strong hands from years of playing the piano. . . And I believed him! I actually took great pride in this new-found 'talent' which ultimately, served him well, as you might imagine.
His enthusiasm for life was contagious. When I first moved into Oly Jr. he convinced me that Mt. Olympus was a resort with a McDonald's and that I could hike it in a bikini with flipflops. He never gave into my self-inflicted drama and was always a great audience with an open laugh and fabulous sense of humor.
I loved feeling connected to him through music. I loved hearing him play the viola and it fueled my passion to play the piano. He was easy to trust, easy to love, and a true friend to everyone. He truly shaped some of my most formative years and his impact will forever be felt in my life and in the lives of my dearest friends. My favorite moments with Nels were when he would try to level with me--all kidding aside. He would put his hand on my shoulder and peer into my eyes with his wry little grin and then say something inquisitive and sincere like, "Come on. You can tell me. . .You didn't REALLY think there was a McDonalds on top of Mt. Olympus, did you?" He had my number from the very beginning.
How I wish I could've grown old with him. He would've always seen me as the best version of myself, because that is how he saw everyone. I love you Nels, and I will always honor your memory.
Heather,
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about that story the most is perhaps something we will only share with those that were on the hike. He was so positively strategic in his efforts to get us to the top. I love that memory! I too have memories of Nels, putting his hand on my shoulder, peering into my eyes, and convincing me to share a feeling or secret that I dared not share with another. He had a gift. It brings a smile to my face to remember all these great moments we shared with Nels.