From Grandma Kuiper, 11/3/2005

I was privileged to spend a lot of time with Anthony during his first 5 years or so. I found out quite soon how “attached” to him I was.

When Anthony was almost a year old I traveled with him and his mom on their first move to Jacksonville, NC.

It was a long trip, especially for an active toddler, but he allowed me to amuse him with 1 or 2 little toys.

On his first day in North Carolina he took some of his first steps by himself. I can still see the excitement and delight in his eyes.

When I had to fly back to Iowa by myself I could not say goodbye. I was sure that I could not be happy without Anthony and his family nearby. I feel much the same now.