I first met Howard (Griff, as he became know after moving in with Vanessa and me) in 1992, on my first "real" date with his aunt Vanessa. He was a hurting little boy, only 6 years old, his favorite aunt and his Dad had both split up wth their respective spouses. His family, as he knew it was destroyed. He had spent much of his early years with Vanessa.
Vanessa and I had planned an afternoon picnic. As we drove up to the park on Montesano mountain in Huntsville, AL, she spied her two little guys, Howard and Jay. She said excitedly, let's stop, you can meet my nephews. Who knew my heart would be stolen by two people that day. The boys were VERY excited to see Vanessa, I merely got a suspecious look from Howard and Jay was just a happy 4 year-old. Next thing I knew all 4 of us were driving up the mountain with two labradors, Kelly (ours) and Fudge.
Once we had walked for awhile, we began playing catch with the boys. I was catching Howard's pitches. He quickly became upset with me, he couldn't believe I didn't know the signs for a fast ball, slow pitch or a curve ball! He looked over at Vanessa and said, "Aunt Vanessa, will you play with me, she throws like a girl!!"
Some how, by the next the end of the summer, I was good enough to play with -- he even said I didn't throw like a girl (he recanted that in later years). I liked to tease Grif about this story. He stole my heart that day, and I have willingly loved him every moment since then. I miss my little boy, and the young man he had grown into...loving, tender and kind, well, at least when he wasn't teasing you! I miss you dearly - until we meet in the great beyond. I look forward to your hugs, kiss on the cheek, and the words I love you.