The way you are remembered, A Tribute

We have seen the footage of Diana getting out of a limo, glamorous and striking.  Young.  Taken before "her time."  Regardless of the years pass, she remains young and striking.
Fifty years from now, she will always be young.

Years ago, when my oldest son was just a little guy and we were new to the area, he was on a baseball team.  His coach, Coach David, had a cute wife and three boys.  Two were the same age as my oldest son, and a little guy.  Drew.

He was a doll.  He was my second reason for loving the baseball season.  He would sit in his diaper and laugh.  Drew would throw his head back and laugh.  And play and get into everything he could.  He was the perfect example of the All American little boy.  I adored him.  His mother would let me hold him, after all, he was the third child, and she would take a breather.  I can remember him sitting there and pointing and clapping.  Oh, he was a doll.

My son grew up and so did Drew. I always thought that if they ever remade E.T., Drew would be the perfect Elliot.

And before long, the little blondie in diapers was wearing a T-Ball baseball outfit.  He was as cute in the uniform as he was in his diaper.  When fellows are young like that, you cannot always tell what child is what child, but; you would always know it was Drew.  Underneath that cap was that big smile.

And he continued to grow.

Drew was one of the "those" people. One of those people, who despite his age, stole your heart.  He had a killer smile and flashed it often.  He had charisma and spunk.

As he grew and matured, he was one of the kids, who in my heart, had a special place.  It was fun to see him grow and watch that smile go from no teeth, to baby teeth, then no teeth, then big boy teeth.  He had the "it" factor.

Just this year, Walker came home with an ECU fleece.   When I asked him where it came from, he said, "Drew outgrew it and gave it to me."  "Drew?"

"Yeah, Drew H.  He knows I like ECU."

This boy came to the elementary school where his mother taught on a regular basis and didn't just visit, he befriended younger kids.  And they loved him.

Walker adored him. 

He died yesterday. 

But always, when I see his mom or dad or think of him, I will think of him as that happy, happy baby with big eyes and blonde hair throwing his head back laughing.


And while I will never see him as a grown man, I am blessed to remember him as a handsome teen with a heart as big as his smile. 

He will remembered by many, the same.  Always young, always happy and always full of life.