We played so many games together through the years, and yet he always had the energy for more. I'm glad I don't have a memory to count the times I declined, for one reason or another. From his earliest years he would hide when I got home from work, so that I would come and find him. He squealed with glee or would begin to laugh when he knew I was getting close. The games began here.

Hide and seek became a natural extension of this, as we often joined his sisters in a full fledged version. He never wanted to quit playing. He was so funny. He would play and play and play, then all of a sudden realize he needed to go to the bathroom, and take off at great peril to anyone in his way (sometimes he even made it, before expelling the drama). His enjoyment of games only increased.

It did not matter whether it was a board game, a made up game, charades, or sardines, he loved them all. The more mentally challenging the game, the more he enjoyed it. Unfortunately, there was an inverse relationship between how challenging the game was, and the number of people he could then find to play it. He thrived on mental stimulation. He rejected artificial stimulation, unless it was Mountain Dew or Inca Kola.

On our vacation the week before he went into the hospital, Beej and I played pool every evening. We both stunk at it, but that hardly interfered with the gamesmanship. We taunted each other, made fun, and had a great time doing it. I can honestly remember though, having a sick feeling in my stomach over his increasing illness. For reasons I cannot explain, something gnawed within. Even then, he did not want me to worry.

A few days later, he would tell me ..."I believe He will deliver me through this"... A few weeks later, he would cross from life, to Life. BJ, you Win this time, the only time that really matters!

He enjoyed playing games in life, but he didn't play them when it came to his faith in Christ!

dad


Today I fly back to Indianapolis to spend the weekend with my wife. We are to be interviewed Saturday morning by Angela Ganote from FOX. She is doing a follow-up to her previous "Unsung Hero" story on BJ. Sunday morning we will be interviewed live at Brownsburg Christian Church, by Angela in all 3 services. We would love to meet you if you are there!