John is my first child. And just like women always say there is a special bond with their first born, I feel that special bond also. John's mother and I separated when John was only 11 months old so from that point on, everything I did was John and me. I remember looking at him through the window in the hospital. I was 32 years old at the time and thought I was ready for children and then it hit me. "Holy cow. I have just taken out an 18 year loan." Best loan I ever got.

John has done so many things in our lives to make me so proud. Not only was he an amazing athlete, probably the most important thing he ever did in his life was be a superior role model and example for his younger brothers and sister. He was just being John but the three kids totally looked up to him and wanted to be like him. I know I never could have made it without his help.

Let me run through the memory medley of things we went through in his growing days. There was the time we went to Kentucky Fried Chicken and on the way home, fortunately on a residential little trafficked road, I came to a stop. then I made a left hand turn much slower than normal for some reason and all of a sudden, he fell out of the car on to the road. I stopped on a dime and got nine cents change. I jumped out and ran around the car and picked him up. He looked at me like, "You fool. What are you trying to do to me?" He was not hurt but can you imagine if traffic was coming or even if I had made the turn at normal speed. I shudder.

At two and a half, I am coaching basketball in the gym in the Philippines and I look over on the sidelines and he is dribbling the ball and all of a sudden he made a shake-and-bake move with his shoulders. Right then and there I knew he was a player. He went on to be MVP of his three time league championship high school basketball team. Weirdest thing though. He was right handed. Ate right handed. Wrote right handed. Batted right handed. Threw right handed. But shot a basketball with his left hand. Said it felt more comfortable. He was super happy when they came out with the three point rule.

I bought a motorcycle and he was only two but I bought him a helmet and he and I went everywhere together on that bike. If it was a long trip, he would just lay his head down on the gas tank and go to sleep. He was sitting between my legs so I knew he was not going to fall off.

I took him and several others to all-star basketball tournaments when he was in the 8th and 9th grades in Vegas. Those were super times and John made some lifelong friends. We always were competitive in the tournaments but never won one. Should have won consolation round one time but an ill advised shot by one of the players cost us a game we had locked up. Hey, it happens.

I can never forget the one night I went to bed with him about 8 p.m., our usual time. I would wait for him to fall asleep and then I would get up and go out and watch tv. This particular night, he decided he was going to get up and watch tv with me. No amount of yelling or spanking was going to stop him. Finally, after whipping his little butt and putting him back to bed, this time he not only just comes out of the bedroom and sits down in the little hallway, he actually stolls across the living room, glaring at me as if saying, "Yeah. I'm watching tv and nothing you can do bout it." He crossed the room, sat down on the couch, ignored me and turn to watch what was on tv. I just shook my head. I figured if he was gonna get his butt spanked and still was coming out, nothing I could do so we just watched tv together. That was when I realized he was going to be his own man though.

I remember when he told me he wanted to ask this girl, Myra, out for a date. He said, "The only problem is dad, I really value her friendship and if we start dating and going steady and then break up, I don't want to lose that friendship." I told him he will never know until he tries. Well he asked her out, they went steady and have been married now for about 16 years or so. Not sure. And they have two beautiful children, Michael and Megan. Just like my Debbie, Megan is the sport's star in the family.

But John was no slouch in other sports either. He played two years of high school football and some "knowledgeables" say they think he could have been a better football player than basketball player. He play all positions on his little league baseball team. So many wonderful memories of his accomplishment in sporting activities. If a parent is fortunate to have one really talented athlete in the family, they are lucky. I was fortunate enough to have four talented kids. Once again, John's actions and leadership captured the attention of his brothers and sister who seemed always to want to be like John.

If John had been my only sibling, my life would have been complete. Lucky me, I had it multiplied by four. But he was always that special one who was there guiding the kids when I couldn't be there. It is no wonder he has such a wonderful family. Course, Myra had a lot to do with it. She is your dream wife. They complement each other so well. I am so happy for both of them.

He was going to go to Baker University in Kansas and play basketball. He wanted Myra to go with him but her dad said no way, unless they were married. So plans were made to get married, then plans to play basketball were discarded, marriage proceeded, and their life together began. He want to San Diego State and graduated with major in Accounting. Today they live in a beautiful house in southern Las Vegas.

He is so mature. Always was. The parents of his high school friends were always telling me how mature John was. He is 35 now but for some reason he will always be "my kid." I know it sounds stupid but that's how it is. He is far from being a kid and not sure he ever really was. The first word that comes to my mind when I think of him is PRIDE. I could not be any prouder of him as a son, a husband, or as a person no matter what he accomplishes in the future. The background music is "Watching Scotty Grow" and it came out shortly after John and I started our lives together. Always reminds me of this super son. Just so many great memories of he and I growing together. No man is more prouder and happier with his son than I am of John. Thank you John for so many things that have enriched my life. Continued success and happiness in your family life. Nothing but wonderful life memories for me. I love you, son.