Sunday, August 12, 2012
To the Family of Lawrence “Bud “ Croft,
Oh, how absolutely blessed I am to be able to say that I knew Bud Croft! I still am in disbelief that he is gone! I had planned to write Dawn a note, when I heard that July 31st would be his last day at Hamburg Adult Day Center. I wanted to find out where I could go to visit him. And I wanted to thank you for bringing him to the center where we all had the chance to get to know him.
I so enjoyed him! I especially loved the stories of his submarine adventures and his various building projects. I loved his happy upbeat nature! He came in every morning, coffee in hand, smiling and offering to do any job we had for him. You just couldn’t help but smile when he came into the room! His cheery disposition was contagious.
Bud was quick with a compliment and made a point to tell us when he enjoyed an activity that we prepared. He was always the first to pay a compliment to our entertainers. And he was usually the first to hit the dance floor, too! And once the music started, he danced till the last note played!
He spoke of his children with great affection. Not a day went by that Bud didn’t tell us how lucky he was to have his daughter-in-law, Dawn close by. And he could not have been more proud of his grand-daughter, Mandy. He so appreciated everything you all did to help him …from keeping his house clean and bringing him dinner or taking him out to eat to bringing him a new dog when his pal, Bunky passed away.
I regret not writing a note sooner. I would have loved a chance to visit with Bud and to tell him just how much I admired him. But when I close my eyes, I see him dancing and smiling and I know his was a life well lived!
I suppose I especially felt close to Bud because he helped me remember my own Dad who passed away a little over a year ago. He too was 90 and approached life much the same as Bud did. Both these men taught me great lessons in how to age with grace and dignity.
Again, thank you for sharing him with us at Hamburg Adult Day Center. I, along with the rest of the staff feel honored to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Anne Dietterich, Program Aide at Hamburg Adult Day Center
