My dad was often found at the side of a lake, with a ranger hat tipped over his eyes, and fishing pole wedged into the ground. At other times I recall him spending an entire day tinkering in his shop. He laughed easily and cherished his friends and family. It seems to me that he found his greatest joys in the simplest things in life.
 
He told me once, it's not all about the quality of time you spend with those you love, it's the quantity too. He always made the effort to be present in our lives. He supported us, cheered us on, and always made sure each and every person felt appreciated and knew that they mattered. He held us all to high standards with his belief in each of us.
 
Charlie stayed true to his simple, straight forward, and often unintentionally eccentric nature until the very end of his 5-year battle with Leukemia. He requested a simple and no fuss funerary arrangement. He insisted on a cremation, without service, and that his ashes be carried out in nothing more ostentatious than a coffee can. In fact, he bought the coffee can. It was from Costco.  I still chuckle about this whenever I think about it; I think he may have intended it that way.