At 9:15 pm tonight, John will be 53. As a little guy he not only couldn’t fathom being that old, it just wasn’t in his realm of knowing. John was the final link in our family chain. He was a happy kid with a sense of humor and an “I can do” attitude.

He tried doing everything his big brother, George, did. Unfortunately with brother George’s stuff while he was away at school. The boys were six years apart and had to share the same room. However, John was usually forgiven because the two boys shared the same antagonistic delight in pestering their sister…..yes, Becky. She still blames all of us for making her the “middle child.”

John had a few things to overcome before school age. A club foot at birth, along with congenital cataracts required some special treatment, physically, but we never allowed ourselves to make allowances between him and his brother and sister. Some excellent advice given us by his Ophthalmologist. He grew up as normal as any of the neighborhood kids (though some of his friends would question this) and still enjoys living on the edge.

You cannot escape his humor if you are within earshot and the more you try to ignore him the harder he tries to get the desired laugh. If all else fails, he at least has enjoyed the moment more than anyone else. Humor is his trademark, the nectar that draws him away from the mundane and catapults him into a world of fun. Even when he is serious his eye contact tells you he is having a secret laugh about something.

Our family would not have been complete without John. He makes us all want to abandon our structured lives and travel on wherever he is going. I can guarantee it would be a very happy journey.

I love you John. Happy birthday from your mom.

Essentially Esther