Wingman Treasure Box: Grandma’s Legacy

This week, I’d like to continue the Mother’s Day celebration with a story that is inspirational and meaningful to me and share how it fits in with the Wingman vision.

I have a strong line of teachers in my family. My sister is a teacher, my mom taught in MPS for 30 yrs and my grandma taught in the small town of Washburn, Wisconsin for decades.

Grandma Haugen was a first grade teacher that most everyone in town had as their teacher. Side note – Two of my high school teachers in Brown Deer (suburb of Milwaukee) had my grandma as their 1st grade teacher. Small world, right?

Grandma was a very giving, kind and gentle woman. She always had a little something for the children in the neighborhood. While visiting elderly family members in the nursing home, she’d have a bag of special items for people that she’d systematically distribute with a smile as we made our way down the hallways. As a kid, it was not my idea of a fun time; How I’d give anything to trail in her mighty wake of kindness once again.

Grandma Haugen passed away in 1999. We gathered in her memory-filled home with my cousins, Aunt and Uncle. The night before her funeral, as we sat in her living room sharing stories and bonding over decades of memories. While we reflected on what an amazing woman Grandma Haugen was, my mom and uncle entered the room with clear plastic boxes loaded with a ton of items. What happened next forever made a mark on me.

Each of us grandkids received a small box with some of grandma’s personal items that she intentionally set aside to give to us after she passed. I remember it like it was yesterday as we all held our boxes in amazement. As the special items were taken out of each box, the laughter and stories began to flow. How did she even remember that these items were special to each of us? This woman, who was my definition of a Giver, was able to continue her generosity even after she had left this earth! The forethought! The kindness! The generosity! And, I have to imagine… The Joy!

Needless to say, Grandma Haugen made a big impact on all of us grandkids. We each express that in different ways. One small way I’ve tried to honor my grandma’s giving spirit is in our Wingman Treasure Box. If you’ve ever been in the store when small children have visited for the first time, you will have seen their joy in being invited to pick out something special from the box. It is one of my all time favorite things I enjoy at the store. The smiles. The meticulous selection process. And the touching “thank you’s” are always a highlight of my day. Another way I honor her is that we offer a Teacher Discount. We love teachers and want to make them feel special.

So this week, I hope you will remember the givers in your life. And be on the lookout for opportunities to honor them by sharing some kindness to someone when the opportunity comes along.

All my best,

Steve Nelson

Owner – Wingman Gifts & Supply