GOLD AND GLORY: THE LAUREN PERDUE STORY

GOLD AND GLORY: THE LAUREN PERDUE STORY

Gold and Glory: The Lauren Perdue Story is the authorized biography of LAUREN PERDUE, who is much more than just a gold-medal winning swimmer.

This is a story about a miracle. This is a story about triumph. This is a story about determination. This is a story about overcoming adversity. Most importantly, this is a story about faith.

This story shows how LAUREN PERDUE overcame a serious back injury to win a gold medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Lauren said she does it all for the glory of God.

Gold and Glory: The Lauren Perdue Story covers various aspects of Lauren's life, from how she got into swimming, how an injury almost ended her career, how faith helped carry her through several trials and tribulations, and the miracle that allowed Lauren to achieve a dream-come-true.

Here are just some other areas that Lauren touches on in the book:

* Her memorable encounter with NBA superstar LeBron James.

* Her performance in the popular "Call Me Maybe" video.

 

* Her bonding with Olympic teammates such as Ryan Lochte, Missy Franklin and Natalie Coughlin.
* Her performance in the pool.
* Her work with the Fitter & Faster Tour.
* Being a member of Team Elite, which includes such greats at Ryan Lochte and Roy Burch.
* What it's like to have her own statue.
*  How she feels about being a role model.
* Her plans for the future.
* Her favorite Bible verses.

Family, friends, coaches, church members and colleagues, including a U.S. Olympic teammate, are among those who offer their thoughts about Lauren.

INTERVIEWS

 

Lauren talked about Gold and Glory: The Lauren Perdue Story, among other things, on Pirate Radio 1250.

 

 

 

Lauren also talked about the book and other aspects of her life with WITN in Greenville, North Carolina. You can listen to the interview, both the one that aired on television and the raw interview with Chris Obarski, here:

 http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/Lauren-Perdue-Talks-New-Book-With-WITN-241024171.html

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B9vlZJ_f4g 

 

 

ORDERING BOOKS

Copies of the book are available on Kindle and in paperback. You can go to Amazon.com to order the Kindle and/or paperback versions, and to createspace.com to order paperback versions. The Kindle price is $9.99 while the paperback version is $15.99.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Glory-Lauren-Perdue-Story/dp/1494446537/ref=la_B009SCI224_1_1/186-1598547-9468512?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405966110&sr=1-1

 

 

https://www.createspace.com/4566823?ref=1147694&utm_id=6026

 

 

ORDERING SIGNED COPIES

Signed copies of the book are available. You may order copies signed by Lauren, signed by me (the author) or signed by both. Simply leave me a message on Facebook or email me at kevtrav77@yahoo.com. The cost of a signed book is $19.99 (which includes postage and handling).

 

 

 

 

QUOTES FROM LAUREN:

“Be strong, go with your heart, and believe in miracles because anything, anything can happen.”

Lauren Perdue

“He, obviously, knew my future before I did. He knew what would happen before I did. The whole year ahead of that with the back injury and the disappointments and that uncertainty, that was just preparing me for what He had planned and what He had already made for my life. I still think it was a miracle. I think I did have a good training base but, in the end, I think it was definitely strength from God that helped me achieve that goal.”

Lauren Perdue

“It hasn’t changed me at all. If anything, I think I’m more humble than I was to begin with. I view it as a blessing. It’s a gift from God. It’s something that He has blessed me with, so it’s not my doing. It’s a gift. It’s not something I would be prideful about or arrogant or stuck-up about. It’s something that I was given and something that I’ve dreamed about my whole life.”

Lauren Perdue

A bit of Lauren's life in pictures: 

Lauren won a gold medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

 

Lauren is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

Lauren and her sister, Meredith, are extremely close.

Lauren had a great time during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

 

 

Lauren and her dog, Lucy, are really close.

       Lauren shows off her gold medal.

The Perdue family.

Lauren and Meredith swam three years together at Virginia.

Lauren enjoying the moment at Opening Ceremonies in London.

The beautiful Lauren shows off her gold medal.

Lauren with Carole Feuerman and the lifelike sculpture of Lauren in New York.

Lauren and Ryan Lochte goofing around during a practice.

 

Lauren and her fans love each other.

 

 

Lauren is aiming for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

 

 

 

 

Lauren Perdue with author Kevin Travis

FIRST OFFICIAL BOOK-SIGNING!!

FIRST OFFICIAL BOOK-SIGNING!!

My first official book-signing event will be held on Saturday at the awesome All On The Same Page Bookstore!! Thank you, Robin and Dennis!!

Here is a little Q&A session that I held by myself regarding the book-signing event. (Oftentimes, authors can get very lonely and talk to themselves. A LOT!)

Q&A

When will the book-signing event be held?
It will be held this Saturday, April 27, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Where will it be held?
It will be held at the awesome All On The Same Page Bookstore.(http://www.allonthesamepagebookstore.com/index.html)

The bookstore is located at 11052 Olive Blvd. in Creve Coeur, Missouri. As a bonus, if it's your first trip to the bookstore, you can go to the website, click on a link and print off a 20 percent coupon!

                                                                 (Beautiful Lindsay)

What can fans/readers/book-lovers expect?
Me sitting at a table, hopefully signing a book or two. You can ask me about anything, from my work as a sports writer to my work as an author to my less-than-stellar work as an owner trying to get his rambunctious, 110-pound Golden Retriever to behave.

                       
                                                         (Ravishing Rachel)


Will there be any celebrities at the event?
There is a rumor floating around that Justin Bieber, Channing Tatum, Rihanna and Megan Fox will appear. (I MAY have started that rumor myself.) It has been confirmed that my wife will be there. She is super cool and super hot!

                                         (Me and my beautiful, awesome wife, Allison.)

What are your books about?
Excellent question (he said to himself). I have written three books: Home Run from Heaven, Skyler's Magical Christmas and Skyler's Magical Year.

Home Run from Heaven was published Oct. 15, 2012. The premise: Dylan Bell, a freshman in high school, grew up idolizing his father, who played ten years of Major League Baseball. When his father passed away because of cancer, Dylan was heartbroken. But thanks to a loving family, a supportive girlfriend, a close bond with teammates, a crazy puppy, and a strong faith, Dylan grows as a baseball player and as a young man. With a little bit of help, and a lot of faith, Dylan just may be able to lead the Hudson Redmen to a place they have never been before in school history.

Skyler's Magical Christmas was published Dec. 7, 2012. The premise: Skyler has been a good girl all year long. The sweet, silly, pretty eight-year-old, who has long blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and a huge smile, wants what many kids want for Christmas. Skyler wants a puppy. The family already owns one dog, an old, quiet gal by the name of Tasha. But Skyler wants a puppy to call her very own. When Skyler wakes up and races to see what is under the tree on Christmas morning, she sees that her wish has come true. She gets a cute puppy that she names Rowdy. But that’s not the only surprise Skyler gets. The Magical Christmas Dog Biscuits that Santa gives Skyler for the dogs make for an even bigger surprise. It all leads to some silly adventures for Skyler, Rowdy, and Tasha.

 

(Sweet and pretty Skyler before she became famous (above) and after she became famous (below))

Skyler's Magical Year was published March 7, 2013. The premise: Skyler thought her life couldn’t get much better, or sillier, after a very special Christmas. The pretty, sweet, smart, athletic girl who has long blonde hair and crystal blue eyes, got to meet Santa, who gave Skyler some Magical Christmas Dog Biscuits. The biscuits gave her dogs, Rowdy and Tasha, the ability to talk! The next Christmas, Santa gave Skyler some Magical Christmas Candy Canes. Just what made those candy canes so magical? That’s what Skyler wanted to know! When she licked one, she found out. Let’s just say Santa isn’t the only special person Skyler meets. It all leads to more silly adventures for Skyler, Rowdy, and Tasha.

                                                               (Stunning Haley)

Where do you come up with your ideas for books?
Usually at the end of a bottle of wine. I kid! I kid! Sometimes ideas just "come to me." Oftentimes, I get inspired by something I see, hear, or witness. I've met a number of great people throughout my life, and many of them have inspired me in one way or another.

Are there any dangers to your "profession" as an author/writer?
Ever heard of papercuts?? Those thing can STING! And if you happen to be eating while you have a papercut and get a little salt in there, well, let's just say that would bring even a man like Chuck Norris to his knees.

                                                              (Beautiful Hayley)

What if I can't make it to the book-signing event? Can I still get a copy of your book?
You most certainly can. You can go to my Amazon author web page and find my books there. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Travis/e/B009SCI224/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1362165968&sr=8-1

                                                            (Sweet Katherine)

What if I want a signed copy? Can I purchase one that way?
Of course! Just send me an email, let me know what book you want, who to make the book out to, send me a check and I will send you a signed copy! My email address is: kevtrav77@yahoo.com.

When will your next book come out?
I'm working on a couple different books right now. I'm hoping the next book will be out sometime this summer.

                                                         (Adorable Taylor)

I have a copy of your book. Can I send in a photo of me with your book?
Absolutely! I would love to see it and share it. Just send it to kevtrav77@yahoo.com.

Did you say something about a free book?
Okay, as a prelude to the book-signing event, I'm giving away three books (your choice of Home Run from Heaven, Skyler's Magical Christmas or Skyler's Magical Year). Just send me a message on Facebook that you want one. I will randomly select three people!

THOUGHTS ON THE BOSTON MARATHON

THOUGHTS ON THE BOSTON MARATHON

The magical day brought out some of the best,

How could it be that some would be laid to rest?

Many converged at the Boston Marathon for the big race,

By the end of the day, we were seeking God’s good grace.

Men, women and children were there simply to run.

They were there simply to laugh and to have fun.

Many were looking to record personal best times.

Instead, many were left running for their lives.

Fans had shown up to politely applause,

Suddenly there was chaos and a reason to pause.

Cowards set off bombs near the end.

Leaving people with horrific injuries to mend.

Lives were lost; some lost a limb.

Suddenly everything looked scary and grim.

Blood was splattered, people were hurt.

Bodies were strewn, many not alert.

Krystle Campbell, a pretty, sweet lady, died in the blast.

Somebody like her should last and last.

Martin Richard, just 8 years old, lost his life as well.

Just 8 years old! It makes you cry. It makes you yell.

Many were left dazed, not knowing what to do.

But there were brave bystanders and volunteers at the rescue.

Dozens of injured could only scream or yelp.

Complete strangers came by to support and to help.

A day later were are still asking the how’s and the why’s.

As tears continue to stream from our eyes.

But life goes on. It refuses to stand still.

Good shall shine over evil. And it always will.

The race will go on. We will hold our heads high.

We continue to pursue our dreams. This you cannot deny.

We need to stay strong. We need to stay together.

Not just for today or tomorrow, but together forever.

We will continue to shine. And give each other a hand.

For this is America. United we stand.

The Boston Marathon is no longer just a race,

But it is a reason to share, laugh, remember and embrace.

The pain and the questions will linger for awhile,

But I believe there will always be a reason to smile.

Because of my faith, I look to the heaven’s above,

I thank you, Jesus, for your steadfast love.


Kevin Travis
April 16, 2013

WIN A SIGNED BOOK, SIGNED BAT, OR NFL RECEIVER GLOVES!

WIN A SIGNED BOOK!! OR A SIGNED BASEBALL BAT!!  OR NFL RECEIVER GLOVES WORN IN A REAL GAME!!

I'm feeling generous.  It's time for a giveaway.  I'm giving away a signed book; a signed baseball bat along with a signed baseball card; and/or a pair of NFL receiver gloves and a football card.  Or all!!  But you have to play my silly game in order to win.

Below is the BOOK GIVEAWAY.  UNDERNEATH IS THE BAT/GLOVES GIVEAWAY.

THE BOOK GIVEAWAY

You will have a chance to win a signed copy of Home Run from Heaven, Skyler's Magical Christmas or Skyler's Magical Year.  The three people with the most correct answers out of 15 silly questions will win a signed copy of their choosing.

These are seriously random.  I realize this is a big guessing game for many, if not all.  But I'm having fun with it!!  Simply send your answers to me at kevtrav77@yahoo.com.

THE SILLY QUESTIONS

1. Who is the main character in Skyler's Magical Christmas and Skyler's Magical Year?
A. BoBo
B. Suzie
C. Lauren
D. Skyler

2. What is the main theme to Home Run from Heaven?
A. Anarchy
B. Faith
C. Teamwork
D. Fun and games

3. Which NBA player star have I interviewed during my sports-writing career?
A. Dominique Wilkins
B. Larry Bird
C. Moses Malone
D. Skip Hoopsalot

4. Which NFL player have I NOT interviewed during my sports-writing career?
A. Drew Brees
B. Julius Peppers
C. C.J. Wilson
D. Brett Favre

5.  Which awesome Olympic gold medalist did I write about in my sports-writing career?
A. Michael Phelps
B. Lauren Perdue
C. Sally Backsplash
D. Ryan Lochte

6. Who do I think is the MOST AWESOME dog in the world?
A. Thor
B. Charlie
C. Thor
7. A and C

7.  What is my favorite cereal?
A. Honeynut Cheerios
B. Lucky Charms
C. Quisp
D. I don't like cereal

8.  I did a story on this author?
A. Mitch Albom
B. Nicholas Sparks
C. Harlan Coben
D. John Grisham

9. Who do I think is the most beautiful woman alive?
A. Jennifer Aniston
B. Charlize Theron
C. Julianne Hough
D. Duh, my hot wife

10. I am currently reading Honeymoon With Harry by which St. Louis writer?
A. Norman Rider
B. Shekky Ladue
C. Bart Baker
D. Harold Kornheiser

11. I will be attending my first official book-signing at what awesome bookstore?
A. The end of your driveway
B. All On The Same Page Bookstore
C. Books In Bunches
D. Readers Paradise

12. When will the book-signing by held?
A. Saturday, Apil 27
B. Monday, May 20
C. Friday, August 9
D. When Hell freezes over

13. I have a man-crush on who?
A. Blake Shelton
B. Josh Hamilton
C. Adam Levine
D. The guy who plays Shelton on Big Bang Theory

14. My favorite book of all-time is:
A. The Bible
B. Have A Little Faith
C. Tuesdays With Morrie
D. Everybody Poops

15. I'm currently addicted to what game?
A. Hide-and-seek with Thor
B. Words With Friends
C. Poker
D. Go Fish

THE BAT AND CARD GIVEAWAY OR THE GLOVES AND CARD GIVEAWAY

One lucky person will win a signed baseball bat and signed baseball card by Brad Snyder, a former Bellevue Redmen (Ohio) great who was a first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians.  Brad is now a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.

Or that lucky person will win a pair of NFL receiver gloves worn by Terrance Copper, a former Washington Pam Pack great who had a stellar career with the ECU Pirates.  Terrance, who has played for the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, is now a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.  (The gloves are not signed.) Terrance wore the gloves while playing with the Saints.  A card of Terrance will be thrown in for the lucky winner.

How do you win?  Simply submit a photo of you holding a copy of any of my books.  But where should you send the photo?  Okay.  Okay.  I was getting to that.  Send a copy of the photo to me at kevtrav77@yahoo.com.

I will select the winner at random and offer that person his or her preference of the baseball bat/card combo or the football gloves/card combo.  I will diplay some readers holding my book on a future blog!

MY BOOKS

To read more about me or my books, check out the link.
http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Travis/e/B009SCI224/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1362165968&sr=8-1

FIRST BOOK SIGNING SET

FIRST BOOK SIGNING EVENT SET

I'm excited to announce my first official book-signing event!  While I have signed many books from the friendly confines of our beautiful house, this will be the first time I will be signing books at a bookstore.

The book-signing event will be held Saturday, April 27, at All On The Same Page Bookstore.  It is located at 11052 Olive Blvd. in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The fun begins at 1 p.m.

Besides signing my books: Home Run from Heaven, Skyler's Magical Christmas and Skyler's Magical Year, I will also be performing magic tricks, making animals out of balloons and singing various show tunes to the delight of the audience.  Okay, okay, I will just be signing books.

Here is a link to the awesome bookstore and the announcement of my signing: http://www.allonthesamepagebookstore.com/events-and-promotions.html

Thank you to the wonderful Robin and Dennis Tidwell for providing me the opportunity!

I attended a signing on Saturday, April 6, and got to meet Bart Baker, author of Honeymoon with Harry and What Remains. I just started reading Honeymoon with Harry and it is hilarious! I highly recommend the books to you!  It was cool to meet a fellow writer who resides in the St. Louis area, especially one with as much success as Bart.

If you don't live in the St. Louis area and you don't have a helicopter to drop you off in the parking lot of the bookstore, I would be happy to sign a book and ship it to you.

You can read more about my books here: http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Travis/e/B009SCI224/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1362165968&sr=8-1

Thank you to all my fans (my mom and my wife) for making this crazy dream of mine stay afloat.  I will forever be grateful to you all for the support and the love.  And, a special thank you to Jesus for His blessings and His gifts.

PICTURE CONTEST

I'm holding a picture contest. Send me a picture of you holding one of my books, and you will have a chance to win a signed copy of all three of my books, and see your picture appear in my super-duper blog.  Simply send me a photo, jpeg probably works best, to my email address at kevtrav77@yahoo.com.

"The Angel's Assassin" by the beautiful, talented Samantha Holt

"The Angel's Assassin" by the beautiful, talented Samantha Holt

 

Samantha Holt is a beautiful, talented author.

 

She has penned a handful of books, including "The Angel's Assassin."

 

 

Samantha Holt resides in Warwickshire, England, with her twin girls, having followed her soldier husband around the UK for nearly 10 years. Growing up in Hampshire, she was inspired by the authors Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, both of whom lived and wrote only miles from her home town.

Samantha loves the romance genre and has been devouring romantic literature for as long as she can remember. History is another passion of hers and she loves to combine her love for history and romance into exciting and passionate tales.

Here is an interview Samantha did about "The Angel's Assassin."

The Angel's Assassin Interview
What is your book about?
The Angel’s Assassin is a medieval romance but it explores the ideas of trust and redemption. The hero, Nicholas, is the ultimate anti-hero - a man with a bad past and a sinful deed to carry out. My heroine, Annabel, is the complete opposite of him and challenges him in many ways. She makes him want to change but whether Annabel believes him capable of change is another thing!

How did you come up with the idea for your book?
I wanted to write an anti-hero and I knew I wanted to set it in early Norman England, a time when the country was still very much in turmoil It started with a baronial revolt and the story went from there really. The revolt only really plays as the backdrop for the story as the events act as the trigger but the rest of the story really revolves purely around Nicholas and Annabel.

What makes your book different than others in your genre?
My use of language is different. I know my native English tongue differs slightly but I hope that brings a sense of realism, particularly when it comes to dialogue. I love writing dialogue and I think that comes across. I’m lucky in that I’ve been able to visit places featured in my books (castles etc) and I hope to bring a sense of realism into my stories by blending my experiences into my tales.

How long did it take you to write your book?
Generally I take about three months. I write full time so I put in anything between 4-6 hours of writing a day.

What are some writing goals for the future?
I’d like to perhaps expand into a different historical era or even write some contemporary romances. For the moment, I still have some untapped medieval stories but I imagine there’s only so many you can write. Having said that, I’m always sure the one I’m working on will be my last one and then another miraculously comes along.

If you were stranded on an island which book would you bring with you?
How to Survive on a Desert Island - I’m making the gross assumption this book exists! Failing that, North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.

What makes a good romance book?
The characterisation is essential. I love it when a book makes your stomach churn with fear, apprehension, excitement… If you don’t care for the characters then that won’t happen. In romance, you need to want them to get together and I love that little stomach flip you get when it finally happens.

GUEST POST
The pros and cons of being a Medieval Romantic writer
Pros
1. You walk around in a rosy haze making the world seem wonderful.
2. You’re creative! This means you can write wherever you want. The bath is my favourite.
3. You fall in love with a new man each time you write a new book.
4. You get to think naughty thoughts and not feel ashamed about it.
5. Watching romantic films is considered research.
6. You get to explore castles as research.
7. After hours of writing medieval dialogue, husband responds very well to being called ‘My Lord.’
8. You expand your cooking knowledge when researching medieval recipes.
9. You learn new things about chosen period and therefore sound amazingly well-educated.
10. You get to write about men in loose linen shirts

Cons
1. You walk around in a rosy haze. Family don’t like this apparently.
2. You brain prefers that you write in bed. At 2am in the morning.
3. You fall in love with a FICTIONAL man. Husband doesn’t like this much either.
4. You spend so much time thinking naughty thoughts that you forget how to actually do the real thing.
5. All your royalties get spent on tissues when watching said romantic films.
6. You have to explore castles as research - do you know how many steps those things have?
7. You forget how to talk normally after writing dialogue and the postman is never impressed. I thank thee for thy missive, good Sir.
8. You learn useless things that will never impress anyone. Cobwebs were considered to cure warts in medieval times - try using that as a conversation starter.
9. Family refuses to eat medieval culinary delights thus rendering knowledge useless. Why will they not eat a recipe delightfully named ‘Garbage’?
10. You have to write about men wearing hose. Hose are not sexy.

You can get "The Angel's Assassin" here:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Angels-Assassin-ebook/dp/B00989J3PM/ref=la_B008FKHIXY_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349884799&sr=1-2


To find out more about the author and her work, click the links:
https://www.facebook.com/romanticfiction

http://www.samanthaholt.org.uk

http://www.samanthaholtauthor.blogspot.co.uk

I LOVE YOU, POPS!!

I LOVE YOU, POPS!!

                          (Don Travis - the greatest man I will ever know.)


It was 25 years ago today that I lost the greatest man I will ever know -- my dad.

He was a fighter, but he succumbed to cancer on Dec. 28, 1987. I still remember that day. I wish I couldn't.

             (His body may be here in Hudson, Ohio, but his spirit lives on in my heart.)


But that's just one sad moment. There are so, so, so many great moments and memories I have of my dad. Of my Pops.

 

                      (He was always a loving, nurturing father.)


He was all about family. My Pops loved my mom. Love doesn't seem like a big enough word. He adored her. He cherished her.

                                                        
                                (My dad cherished my mom.)


And I know he loved his boys -- Scott, Gregg and me -- as well.

His love of family started out at a young age. My Pops was close with his only sibling, his sister, Marcia.

                             (My dad and his sister, Marcia.)


That love was evident with his family. He cared for us...deeply. He had a giant heart.

             (Younger and older, my dad often wore a smile. I try to emulate that today.)

He didn't just love us kids. He loved the kids he taught as well. My dad was an awesome Spanish teacher at Shaker Heights High School. The students loved him in return.

                  (My dad loved his students, and the students loved him.)

I remember my dad talking about his students and smiling. He really cared about them.

I remember my dad helping me with my Spanish homework. I really liked that!

I remember my dad sitting in his rocking chair in a corner of the room, a perfect place to watch television and relax.

I remember my dad picking up our dog, Scamp, and holding him in his lap. Nobody else could do that.

I remember my dad listening to Cleveland Indians' and Cleveland Cavaliers' games on the radio. I would walk in and say, "What's the score, Pops?" He would say something like, "4 to 2" or "77 to 72." He would never say who was winning. I guess maybe because I didn't ask. But that ALWAYS gave me a chuckle.

I remember having to go to bed on Monday nights so I could get some sleep and be ready for school on Tuesdays. My Pops would ALWAYS write down the final score of the Monday Night Football game for me... and who won!!... and leave it for me at my place at the kitchen table.

I remember huddling together and watching Cleveland Browns' games on television. We would cheer on Bernie Kosar and the boys. They actually used to be good!

I remember him taking me to a Cavaliers game, and we had the time of our life.

I remember him taking me to an Indians game, and he wouldn't sit down until we got the autograph of my favorite player.

I remember him cutting the grass, and getting his lawn just right.

I remember him lying in the sun, working on that perfect tan. My dad REALLY, REALLY liked his sun.

I remember his quickness at cleaning off the kitchen table and grabbing plates...even though the rest of the family was still eating.

I remember vacations with him and the whole family...trips to Myrtle Beach. That place will always hold a special place in my heart.

I remember him cheering for me at Little League games. We would go for ice cream at Saywell's in Hudson after games, win or lose.

I remember him walking around and having funny sayings, like, "Woogie! Woogie!" He made us laugh... A LOT!

He's gone physically, but he's still very much in my heart. He still inspires me. In fact, it took some time, but I finally wrote a book, thanks in large part to my Pops. I dedicated the book to him.

         (Home Run from Heaven, my first book, is dedicated to my Pops.)

I am a little sad today, but I am happy as well. I am happy that God blessed me with such a great dad. I am happy that God gave me 23 years of great memories with my Pops.

I will always remember your laugh, Pops.

I will always remember your smile, Pops.

I will always cherish our memories, Pops.

I will always keep you close to my heart, Pops.

I will always love you, Pops.