|
Maude’s Thoughts on Nicholas
When I think about Nicholas, three clear pictures come to mind: two from memories of being with him and one from a photograph.
The first is from seeing him on a visit to his house when he must have been about six year old. He’s has this beautiful bright, award-winning smile on his face topped by that gorgeous wavy brown hair. I thought he was the best-looking boy I’d ever seen. It makes me smile to remember how he looked.
The second one is from the last time I saw Nicholas. That was at the big multi-person birthday party we had a Bill and Pride’s house. I think it must have been March of 2003. He was this incredibly handsome, strapping, all-muscle Marine. He was full of energy and charisma. I, like everyone else, wanted to be around him, talk with him, and hear his stories. He made me laugh. And he gave me a whole new appreciation for the work ethic that Marines have….I found it amazing to think how hard it all was and yet he loved doing it. I felt proud to know him and count myself as a member of his family.
The third picture that comes to mind is from an actual photo that I saw on the Internet. Norma sent it to me. It’s a picture of Nicholas in Afghanistan with some of his Marine buddies. No smile here. All tough, all business, all man. He looked invincible to me. If only that could have been true.
I’ll always love him, appreciate him and miss him.
Maude Babington
|