Posted by LouAnn Abendroth on May 12, 2003:

May 12th 1965, 38 years ago today, this little guy rocked my world. As I was only 6 years old at the time I had no idea what the extent the impact of his birth would have on me. He was alot of fun at first, then things weren't so hot, he was stealing the lime light very fast. Over the years we grew up together, he was a good kid, always smiling, never seemed to be one of those whinning brats. I was always amazed at how he could talk our parents into something and it never seemed like an unreasonable request. I had to talk until I was blue in the face to get a bicycle (one that you peddled) he didn't ask for a bike, he managed to get them to buy him a 3 wheeler!!! I had asked several times for a car when I was older, the general response was, "Don't you have a friend or a boy friend with a car". He got a car on the first request!!! What was up with that??? It was his smile, humor, his way. His way of making people want to be better around him, be better for themselves, for the people they loved. And you have to remember this kid was only 16 years old at this time, what a leader of leaders!!!! I remember my parents face the day he came bounding in the front door and proudly announced "I am going to West Point"!!! Our mother almost hit the floor, our dad, he just smiled and shook his head. I think our Dad could see the greatness in this teenager. Of course I was pressed into secretarial duties imediately, if it needed to be typed it was dropped at my door with a smile and a pretty please. Thank god for grammar and spell check!!! I remember the him bounding, jumping, hugging, laughing in my kitchen the day he got "the letter", he was in, headed to West Point after graduation. The miles that he ran to "break" in those new army boots that he managed to get through a friend of a friend. I would sometimes ride bike beside him to keep him company, or drive the car beside him to keep track of mileage. He worked so hard to be able to show up to West Point in shape. After he left, our contact was minimal. We didn't pickup our real close friendship again until, our father died in 1993. From then on we called each other and had some real marathon telephone conversations. We shared our purchases with one another, no matter what it was we bought we called one another to talk about our shopping high!! He was the only guy who really appreciated the purchase of a kitchen stove!!! The only guy who ever bought me pampered chef products! He was the only person whom I had ever shopped with in a liquor store and used a cart!!! We entered the place with the bargain that we would each pay 50/50 on the beer. The total sales came to $101.00, so we each laid down a $50 dollar bill and .50 cents, we laughed and joked about our 50/50 beer bill for a long time after that. Our last conversation was just before Christmas 2000, he called with news of his purchase of a big screen TV. You know one of those last minute items you run out and pick up!! I never got to tell him of my after Christmas purchase of a big screen TV, you know have to keep up to the Olson's!!!? Today is your birthday and like always, I toast you with a beer! However now instead of a long phone conversation, a lawn chair beside your grave. I pop a beer for you, one for me, and remember all the good memories. I will love you forever little brother! Your sister, Annie

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