Amazing Alli

Hello My name is Steve, Allison’s Brother.

My notes have the title of “Amazing Alli”.

Am I right? Wasn’t she just amazing!!

An amazing daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, coworker, boss, friend, special friend, artist, support counselor and a #1 cheerleader for any and all accomplishments.

Ummm hang on! Did I miss one. Heck, yes I did. She was an amazing human being.

Let me give you some background information from my prospective as Allison’s favorite big brother.

Can you see the Quotes “It was a dark and stormy night.” We have heard this many time from James on his first date with JoAnn. Later in the relationship came this quote. “I thinks I love ya baby, let’s go get a Pizza” His Love for pizza and JoAnn, still hold true today.  I think the correct order is, JoAnn then pizza. That being said, if the food item was nachos, it may be a different story.

July 17 1975 – Allison Dana Ray was born.

As a young child, She was all smiles. A happy, curly haired fun loving kid.

While living in Yakima, that happiness was shared in the Yakima Herald newspaper. Allison and a neighborhood chum, Kim Haddocks, were walking back from school and both were caught by a newspaper photographer. The picture shows then stomping in the mud puddles with their umbrellas up and huge smiles. There were a few extra copies of the paper bought that day.

High school years at Columbia River in Vancouver, graduating in 1993. Marching band, studies and boys? I cannot comment in depth, as during these years I was out of the house.

Then came Western Washington University again studies and working at “The Bird” AKA Red Robin. A total success with a Viking College degree and many new lifelong friends. The math wizard that she was (Question mark, Question mark), came in handy when she was working at the Bird. She developed a quick and easy Canadian/US exchange rate. The math worked for her but not so much for the canucks.  I never did get the math she was using, and I don’t think the Canucks did either.

Early on you could see Allison had her Dad’s work characteristics. Goal oriented – set it and excel to a mark higher than the goal that you sent for yourself.

The Hanson Years:

I believe it started at Alli’s 30th Birthday party extravaganza. Go kart racing and a short pub crawl out at Ocean Shores.

Who is this Guy and does he know what he is getting into? As far as this crazy family? There were also strict orders to James to not give him a nick name too soon. You all know James. Right Garbonzo, Precious, Mak Mak, The Viking Princess, Hook… That one is kinda strange, right Hook as early on you were slicing the golf ball!!... and there are ohhh so many more.

Looking at Barrett, I see another over achiever. He works hard to exceed the lofty goals he sent out to reach.

And a Huge “Thank You” to Barrett: for setting your Goal, to be the best husband in the world to our Alli.

OK lets breathe... in with the good, out with the bad. One more time in with good and out with bad.

Then came Malena.

Another go getter. That apple did not fall far from her mom and dad. She is one smart crafty cookie. And with our support, she too will reach her goals.

You may know now, if you hadn’t already been aware.

Allison Dana Ray Hanson

AKA Alli

Was and will always be known as a Fighter, she fights to reach her goals and ambitions. The only limitation to her ability was that there are only 24 hours in a day. There were many times I would see a late night postings. I then got on the tweeter hooter, another James term for a Cell phone, and sent a text or comment on her blog reminding Alli bedtime is 10pm.

On the day of Alli’s passing. There was a humming bird feeder outside her window. I’m thinking its January in the Pacific Northwest... are there still humming birds around? Yep there are. A few came and slurped up throughout the day. The feeder had a ring at the pedal so a bird can sit and eat.

During Alli’s last breaths, a humming bird came back and sat at the feeder. It was not eating. It was waiting patiently, for what? Was it there to comfort us at Alli’s bed side? Was it there to help Alli? For whatever reason, I have a new reason to enjoy a humming bird. I am looking for just the right humming bird feeder for my home. It will be another reminder to me of my amazing sister.

Allison

We Love you

We Miss you

And You will always be with Us.