Going home

He was born in Medford Oregon on July 26th, 1980 at Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital after 36 grueling hours of labor, I had turned 17 four months earlier. In fact, the same Dr. delivered Andy's Uncle Dana in the same Hospital room exactly 15 years earlier to the day forging a bond between them that would withstand a lifetime.

Growing up Andy lived a unique lifestyle, we both did. I was considered a free spirit unfettered by society's standards and we lived a simple somewhat Bohemian lifestyle in the Applegate Mountains and for the most part we were happy. Andy learned at a very young age the art of communication and interaction with all walks of life. From the family who lived up the creek without electricity or running water to the Rancher who owned most of the land in the area, he was never at a loss for words.

Often times he would be spotted at a local gathering with a group of adults discussing whatever was at hand as if he were 30 rather than 9. Inquisitive is not a strong enough word to describe Andy. From the moment he said his first words the questions began, and they never stopped. He wanted to know about everything and it was exhausting. Oftentimes I would put him to bed at night and just sit in the quiet soaking it up all the while untangling my brain.

He was relentless. Whatever came into his head was a good topic for discussion. Did he want to be a monkey trainer or the tidy bowl man when he grew up? Why do some stars blink? Are the other ones asleep or did they die? Do puppies die? Where did that puppy that lived down the road in that one house that has that car in front go? When I get bigger will I get to have a car? What color? Can I get some of those stars that go on the ceiling with my allowance? Do monkeys only eat banana's? Can I have an allowance? What if one of the stars fall off the ceiling and stick to my head and I don't know it's there and I go to school with it stuck in my hair? Did you have a puppy when you were little like me? What's an allowance? All these thoughts in but a few minutes.

I remember thinking "watch out world, this guy is going to turn you upside down". Andy was as down to earth as anyone could possibly be. His life was adventurous, to say the least. He was five years old when he first flew an airplane by himself. We were frequent guest of a popular couple from Hollywood sometimes staying at their mountain home for days at a time. But alot of people would be surprised to learn that many mornings Andy spent playing cards or watching cartoons with a guy we have all seen on the big screen in some of our favorite movies.

He wasn't the type to be star struck. He was never intimidated by anyone nor did he judge those less fortunate. From his eyes, we were all the same, he held that belief his entire life. If you were loved by Andy, you knew it. He had an unlimited supply of love in his heart and those who have ever felt it know what I mean. And he dreamed just as big. One day out of the blue, he would tell you of some big plan he had and though you wanted to be supportive you knew that what he was saying was not realistic.

You never really gave it much thought until he would come by with a huge backpack on for hugs and kisses goodbye. 'I'm off to New Zealand to hike or The arctic tundra of Alaska to fish, New Orleans to help rebuild a city, London, France and Paris because I can, Peru to hike Machu Picchu and explore the Amazon Jungle. And he did just that. The world held no barriers, there wasn't anything that wasn't possible if you really wanted to do it. After a while, I knew not to get in his way or try to hold him back. I would get my hugs and kisses wish him well and wave as he disappeared into the distance. And always he returned home and was happy to be there until his wanderlust sent him off in a new direction.

Well son, on this, your final journey I know in my heart that all roads have led you home and the peace you have searched for all your life. I love you, always and forever.  Mama