And girls? Michael was the only boy in the youth group of 13 or so young people, one boy among 12 girls? He seemed to relish being the center of attention. I remember him playing the piano or doing assorted tricks before spellbound admirerers. One year he broke with tradition and invited primarily girls to his birthday party. And he was an uninhibited public speaker, rising in church to pay unsolicited tribute to those deserving that tribute.
And he loved to read, he was never one to go to bed early. We often were asleep long before he. Louie Lamoure was his favorite. Even when he played games with us, he would read a book while waiting for his next turn.

He seemed in those days impatient with church, usually it was then that he sat next to me, leaned against me, though he was a very able competitor in Bible Quiz Meets, he did so without fervent study. But I fancied his beliefs were similar to my own. He was more interested in tangible results than in ritual, but as with all of my children, I did not know what beliefs he was carefully constructing, nor did I know how deeply he wanted to fend for himself, “test his wings”, while being powerfully loved, trusted, respected.

I was his coach during several of his baseball years, relying heavily on his natural athletic ability. It was very rare that he struck out or walked. I remember one game in which he was the only one of our players who hit the ball. Though the others were intimidated by the opposing pitcher’s speed, Michael was not one to back down from bluster and intimidation.
From fifth through his sophomore year in High School we home schooled Michael. Was it the right thing to do? He was so social, so much a born competitor. Each year he was asked and each year he agreed to home school. Did we not make it clear enough that he had a choice? Studying the required regimen was not his strong suit. He did complete his work, but he was clearly even at a young age striving to develop his own voice.

He was very generous with his money, not very good at saving his money. He bought gifts for others, and not just for special occasions. And he surprised even me with special “I love you” notes from time to time.

Details of rebelliousness are not included in any of my descriptions of my children, those are best left to each child to evaluate, and share as the desire arises.
Michael went to high school in Germany, played on the tennis team, joined the Navy, survived the bombing of “The Cole”, was the commencement speaker the following year for Heidelberg’s American High School, married Sharon Hicks on April 12th, 2002. He is transferring to the Army on January 8th, 2007. He and Sharon are making their happy ever after world with two very beautiful children – Gideon, and Mykayla. The story of his transition to a very competent young adult is a roller coaster ride he may one day choose to share with his inquisitive children when they face their own transitions from childhood. He is a great father and husband, and here follows one of his writings.

                                                            My Hero

On April 10th, 1942 in a faraway land called Batman, a man walked with his comrades in arms to destinations unknown. Harassed constantly by their captors they plodded on. Now and then a friend would fall, never to rise again. Sometimes it was from exhaustion, sometimes from the feared metal messengers of death. Any troops who fell behind were executed. They were randomly beaten, and denied food and water for many days. Through seemingly endless hours they marched, weary and weak. To a man they knew not what the next hour, the next minute would bring. Would there be more pain? Would there be the blessed yet feared relief of death?

For only a brief part of the march would these POWs be packed into railroad cars and allowed to ride. Those who did not die in the suffocating boxcars were forced to march until they reached their camp. It took the POWs over a week to reach their destination. Finally arriving at a mine near a large town, each man was worked until he was but skin and bone, 39 months later there appeared on the horizon the sign of freedom, a large weirdly shaped cloud.