Remembered by Dad & Mom
Acts of Kindness: RAOK for ALV
On the soul-crushing anniversary of Anthony's death, a friend once offered a challenge, to stand up on this heavy day and do things that bring light and happiness to others, in memory of Anthony. He was a freckle-nosed monkey, hilarious, creative and impish, and he loved to surprise people with simple acts of kindness and humor.
Anthony's Classmates & "Tight" Tshirts
From Mom, 9/30/2005
Last year, I took Anthony shopping for shoes. He picked a pair out, tried them on, and said, "Man, these are TIGHT, Mom."
"Ok," I said, "Let me grab a bigger size."
Bedtime Story
Anthony moved into his own room last weekend. He hadn't been campaigning (hard) for it, but my parents moved recently (2 hours closer!) and gave us some extra furniture, so we were able to set him up with a twin bed, dresser, and small blue recliner.
Climbing Trees
When I was ten, I used to climb every tree in the neighborhood, but my favorite was a fir that stood at one corner of my parents' old, 2-story house. Its boughs brushed the windows of my corner bedroom on the second floor.
Dad Remembers: Flat Tires
From Dad, 10/7/2005
OK, here it goes... remember I'm not an English major... unless a "D" on the report card meant "damn good."
We used to live in Sanborn in the late 1990s, and I had to drive to Spencer every day to where I worked.
Dirge Without Music
A poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay
I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.
Laugh Lines
Saturday night at the hotel, I thought it'd be fun to pull my boys and their cousins away from the Nintendo for half an hour to play Spoons (the card game, not the musical utensils).
Not-So-Ninja Moves
From Mom, 9/21/2005
I was sitting at the computer one night in my office when Anthony decided to sneak up on me & scare me. The boys loved martial arts movies and ninjas, and they imagined they were pretty good at being stealthy.
Of Tonsils, Uvulas, and Other Things
It began innocently enough. I had been waiting in the school parking lot for the kids to return from their field trip, waiting and doing a slow burn while another parent let his musically-inclined toddler play the car horn for 30 interminable minutes.
Snakes & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails
Anthony loved critters of all shapes and sizes. In addition to cuddly dogs and cats, Anthony loved frogs, toads, lady bugs, turtles, lizards, and especially snakes. Starting around the age of 4 or 5, if you asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he would tell you "A herpetologist! A snake scientist!"
Tonsillectomy Troubles
My two boys had their tonsils removed yesterday. We were at the Primghar hospital from 6:00a.m. to 7:30p.m. Things went well, for the most part, but we can never do anything without some complications or excitement.
When September Ends - Piano
Recorded on September 30, 2012, which would have been Anthony's 21st birthday