Letter from Dante’s Grandmother, Terry
Words from Dante’s Grandmother
My name is Terry Hawkins. I am Dante’s grandmother. Dante is Cassandra and my son Chad’s son. I have had Dante for almost 5 years. When I first met Cassandra, David, and Dante in Albuquerque, she was not in a good way. She made the greatest sacrifice a loving mother could make knowing she couldn’t take care of Dante. She gave him to Roger and me and we promised her she could always be a part of his life. In taking Dante to Bayfield where we live, she found a way and moved her and David to Durango so she could be close to Dante. Come rain or snow or ice whatever she would see and spend time with Dante on Sundays. I witnessed this young woman pull herself up from the bottom, move to a new town, and struggle in finding a place for her and David to live. I always think about the story she told me; she was literally living out of her car and she ordered pizza from Papa Murphys. When they handed it to her she didn’t know it wasn’t cooked, that you take it home to bake it. To this day I do not know what she did.
She got an apartment, got her and David in school, and came out with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Through all her struggles she found the love of her life, Jason. Jason had 3 children – Alicia, Noah, and Amada – I watched these children flourish with Cassandra and she was so close to having Dante back with her also. Cassandra is an inspiration and a role model proving that with hard work, determination, love, and faith you can conquer even the worst of situations. Cassandra if you’re listening, Roger and I will always take good car of OUR Dante. We love you forever and will miss you so very much. I’m sorry I couldn’t be at the service in person but I know Cassandra would want me to be with Dante.
Beth Graham said:
Terry that was lovely. Thank you so much. Casandra was excellent with Dante as are you and Roger. Much love, Beth