From the time he was just a little boy he dreamed of super heroes. He always loved Superman, Batman, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He loved walking around with towel around his neck as a cape and flew all around the house as the Cape Crusader.

He rescued me from imagined beasts and bad men. He will tell you to this day that his dad is his hero.

He was always a charmer with his big brown trusting eyes and chubby cheeks. His smile would melt any mother's heart and it was always hard to discipline him because he would make you laugh at his naughtiness , because he was always so sincerely sorry.

He adored his sisters and put up with a lot of abuse just so they would play with him. Many days I watched him play "Sweet Valley High" board game or Barbie's just so they would pay attention to him.

He played his best sports after someone on the other team knocked him down. His determination intensified and so did his skill level. I've seen him play soccer in the snow, in intense heat and with a raging case of poison ivy.

I saw the coach pitch" Star" become hitless in Little League but it never dampened his enthusiasm. I still laugh when I remember one game where he played to the crowds, tipping his hat and bowing out in right field (where the dandy lions grow and no action occurred!) I remember that his prayer life grew in Little League. He would come to the plate and pray that they would walk him!

Now as a man, I still see the little boy in you but I am impressed by the maturity that is there also. Happy Birthday Bud. I was thrilled and totally captivated by you the moment I held you in my arms and know you are never far from my thoughts and my heart.

Labels: Andy, Birthday