Mr. Hanson wasn't your typical hero, he wasn't famous, he didn't have super powers. He didn't save anyone from burning building. He became my hero slowly, over time.
It started when I was a kid. Mr. Hanson led the boys program at our church. I remember he would start each class out by leading us in the pledge to the Christian Flag and the U.S. flag. Then we would sing from hymn books and we would usually end with, "Onward Christian Soldier". He was old-school. We would spend the rest of class working on our achievements (medals, patches) and sometimes he would take us outside and teach us to march (left, right, about face). To this day that does not sound very exciting but I loved it, he made it fun.
Then in High School I attended Valley Christian High School and he was my principal. He and his wife (Mrs. Hanson) were actually the founders of the school (Two ex-hippies who moved to Brownsville to do missionary work, founded a small Christian HS that was affordable to everyone). In addition to being the principal he was the Science Teacher, Bible Teacher, History Teacher, P.E. Coach, and Janitor. The last one is one of the reasons he's one of my heroes. You see Mr. Hanson had a Masters Degree and he was one of the best teachers I have ever had. He could have taught anywhere and he would have made a very good living. Instead he took a salary below poverty level to serve teens, some of whom could care less. I remember the first time I saw him cleaning the restroom and taking out the garbage. I already respected him so much but to see him serve us like that it really affected me. (It's probably the closest I will ever be to understanding how the disciples felt when Jesus washed their feet)
I remember the chapel that he shaved off half his mustache to show us how God wanted to make us a new person. Mrs. Hanson had never seen him without a mustache. I remember the day we had crazy hat day and he wore a cage on his head with his cat in it. I just remember how calm he always was, and his dry sense of humor. He had this sly smile, laugh combination thing. My cousin told me about a time in class where one of the sarcastic kids in class gave yet another sarcastic wrong answer, instead of getting mad he just stood up, started clapping softly (think golf clap), and said, "He tried, He tried". Everyone just cracked up, including the kid. (Classic Mr. Hanson)
Mr. Hanson will always be one of my heroes because he gave his all to what God called him to do. For more than 30 years he taught teens but more than that he lived his life as an example to us. Without ever saying it his life said, "This is what it looks like to live for God".
There is so much I could say about this great man...
Mr. Hanson I love you, respect you, and I am so thankful for all you gave. I just spoke to you last night and I don't understand why this happened. I will continue to follow your example and serve kids in your honor.
25 comments:
He was such a great human - Jorge Cantu from your junior bible class
Jorge, I totally agree. I am honored he let me teach his Bible class, I enjoyed getting to know you guys. I already miss him very much and it has only been a few hours. Hard to explain.
We will all miss him VERY MUCH, he is the perfect example of what a man of God should be. I am very thankful that I had a chance to know him and learn from him. He too is my hero and I too will follow his example. We love you Mr.Hanson.
-Javier Olivo,Class of 2011
Javier,
I wonder how many people Mr. Hanson has inspired. How many lives have Mr. And Mrs. Hanson touched and changed over the years? Thanks for sharing.
Hi Jonathan, i could not help but cry when reading your post, very beautiful. I will always remember Mr. Hanson, i strongly believe he touched & changed all of our lives in one way or another. Thank you so much for sharing your memories. We are still in shock & this is hard to understand, but we know he is in a better place. -Sarai Gonzalez Mtz
Sarai,
I have shed some tears myself. I called my friend Julio earlier today to let him know and as I began to talk I just burst into tears. He couldn't understand what I was saying I was crying so hard. It just hit me then.
We have to celebrate his life by sharing memories. I remember all of the trips he would take us on and all the animals he always had in his classroom. I still have a paper he gave me in High School, It says I am.. and then a scripture. I am ... more than a conqueror. I still look at that paper sometimes.
Jonathan, This was a beautiful article. Thank you so much for writing it. I know my dad touched many lives during his life. I still can't believe he is gone. I already miss him terribly. Joel Hanson
Jon thanks for penning so well whats in all our our hearts.
Paul was surrounded by more loving caring true dedicated friends and loved ones within one hour than most people have in a life time. That alone shows the power of the righteous, faithful, sold out to the Lord, kind & caring for others life he lived.
We loved him. We will miss him. As Jimmy O said "we didn't just loose a good friend we lost the Best one"!
Jimmy Barnard
Joel,
There is so much more I could say about your dad and the impact he has had on my life. I see my kids making sacrifices for me to be in ministry, thank you for all the sacrifices you made so that your dad and mom could minister to us. Your dad has such a legacy and you are part of that legacy.
Thank You Joel we love you and your family.
I can't believe he is gone either, the world is poorer and heaven is richer.
I still can't and don't want to believe this is it, but he did so much, he completely fullfilled God's plan and I think he's pretty much everyone's role model and hero. It was an honor to meet him, and it's been so sad to realize he's gone. For some reason I thought he was going to live longer than all of us, but this woke me up. I love you Mr. Barnard! and really miss having you as a teacher!
Ana Sofia Estrada, Junior 2011.
when is it?
-sofia
Sofia,
He has always been in such great shape I thought he would too. He looked the same as when I left Brownsville sixteen years ago. Last night when I talked to him I told him I could not wait until things slowed down for me so that one of these years I could go on the Mo Ranch trip as a sponsor. He told me I better hurry. I think you are right he did fulfill what God called him to do. His race was complete.
Sofia, I don't know.
Thank you so much for sharing your memories. You put it beautifully Jon.
Through His life we got a glipse of what Jesus looks like with skin on. His life has left an indelible impression on so many hearts and I am sure that we will be hearing testimony after testimony of that for many years to come.
No matter what year we graduated, we are all united by the love the Hansons imparted to us. We rest in the fact that after a life so faithfully lived--He is finally with his beloved King...
Prayers and love to Gail and the rest of the Hansons.
We will miss our dear friend and father.
Melissa ~Class of '98
Hi Jonathan.....so sad to hear from you this way...as I read and write I cannot stop my tears from running down my cheeks....I cannot believe what just happened ...I hardly saw him on the last decade and still the knowledge of his passing is making it hard to breathe right now. You have spoken almost for everyone that knew him the way we knew him in high-school...he was ...he was!.... wil there be another service?...I wish o had known earlier to accompany my beloved Mr. And Mrs.Hanson....they too are my heroes!
I'll miss him even though I knew him less than a year it was very hard to find out what happend to him. But I know he's with God now and probably happier than he ever was. I'm thankful for the time God allowed me to know him :). -annette Chavez 2014
Melissa, I agree there will be more testimonies than we will know.
Elsie, This happened this morning and we have joined with Mrs. Hanson in praying for a miracle resurrection. I prayed with her in the hospital room. (Nothing is impossible with God). No service has been scheduled.
I posted this in my own grief and remembrance.
Elsie, I also wish this were under different circumstances.
Annette, Heaven is a real place and we are reminded of this when great men like Mr. Hanson pass because we know that He is there and that God welcomed him home. I am sure he heard, "Well done!"
Thank You both for sharing.
OMG Jonathan...I got the news this morning while at the mother/daughter retreat and I kept it together for my 6 yr. old who was on top of the world as we spent the last few hours bonding. I have to say though..that I literally felt sick to my stomach as I thought of the possiblility of this being true. I can't help but cry now..especially as I read your tribute and remember special memories of my own as I know every former student has. We spent every school day for 4 yrs. with him and his wife (our 2nd parents no doubt). He is, was....one of a kind and the imapact he had on his students is incredible. I will forever consider myself blessed for having the opportunity to attend such a wonderful school with such a wonderful principal. I can go on..but i'm finding hard to write now as I am still in shock over his passing...God be with Mrs. Hanson and his sons/family.
Melissa de la Rosa (Hernandez) Class of '96
I had never met such a faithful, kind and gentle man as Mr. Hanson. The faith that he and Gail have is ispiring to all. He was so happy and always smiling. I shall never forget his gentle goodness. My heart goes out to his family for their loss but if ANYONE is seated at the right hand of the father, it is Mr. Hanson. He is enjoying a peace and love now in heaven that he wants us all to have. He spent his life so well; what an inspiration! My life was made better by just knowing such an amazing and wonderful man as he. - Patricia Trevino
Melissa and Patricia thank you for sharing your memories.
I will take all of the comments and fond memories posted here and I will print them up and give them to Mrs. Hanson and her family. Please share as many fond memories and stories as you would like to. I'm sure they will bring comfort.
When I think of Paul Hanson, I remember one of the most humble and gracious men I ever met. I never heard an unkind word.
I think of his steady attention to the things he did - always with excellence - and yet understanding the weakness and failings of others.
I think of a man that never gave any thought for himself or how others perceived him. He just was who God called him to be - good times and bad - easy things and hard - when people failed him or when they were faithful - in disappointment and in reward - he would not allow himself to be distracted or stalled. He just did it.
I think of a man who was willing to be misunderstood because he knew who was in charge of his reputation.
I think of a man who gave honor and seldom accepted it.
We pray today for his family, the ministry he has left behind and the seeds he so faithfully sowed. Deborah Batsell
My name is Lucia Longoria Gonzalez. I graduated from Valley Christian in 1984. Two years ago, Ivana, my oldest daughter graduated from VCHS too. Tania, my other daughter is a freshman also at VCHS. I am so grateful to God for having given me the privilege to attend such a wonderful school.
I have always said that besides being a true man of God, Mr. Hanson was the smartest person I knew. My husband would ask him all kinds of questions just to prove me wrong, but he always had the correct answer.
Thank you, Mr Hanson for touching our lives in such a special way.
I pray for Mrs. Hanson and her family, the students and friends that the Lord may give everyone the strength during this difficult time.
Mr. Hanson, you will be greatly missed!!!
The funeral will be held at 5PM Tuesday at Good Shepherd Community Church. 300 West Morrison Road Brownsville, Texas 78520
Mr. Barnard:
Your words are beautiful. I'm also thankful for Mr. Hanson; his unconditional love for God, his dedication to students and teaching, his patience and everything he did for us which we sometimes disregarded. We were days away from Mo Ranch and I deeply regret I was waiting for it to thank him and I couldn't just have thanked him before. He touched my life, his school brought me closer to God, and for that reason I will fulfill the school´s mission "To produce college graduates who will impact the world for the cause of Jesus Christ"
-Gloria Vazquez, Class of 2011
Post a Comment
Hey, feel free to Join the Conversation...