June 18, 2003

Dear Joshua,

Today you turn 21. I can’t believe how the years pass so quickly.

I remember the day you came into the world. I was so nervous and afraid. You were my first and only baby. I didn’t know what to expect. As I have said before it was the easiest thing I have ever done. Your birth was very quick and relatively painless. Then there you were, so tiny and with little tufts of hair on your shoulders and you already had one tooth. You looked so serious for one who had just come into the world.

As a child you were so sweet and happy. You loved everyone around you and you always let them know it.

While you were growing up you knew from a very early age what you wanted to be. You wanted to be in politics and never changed your mind about it. You worked toward your goal all through out your school years.

I remember when you went before the city council to change a law so all kids could attend school functions that went past the curfew time. I was amazed at the research you did to make your presentation. You got the law changed and we have you on tape at the meeting. Again you seemed older and wiser than your years.

You were always very involved in school activities and the community. Sports, band, mock trial, student council, senior class president, honor society, and the community jazz band, you were in them all. I don’t know how you did all that and worked and got good grades.

You were just as involved in college activities. You always talked about how much you loved going to school. How you were going to go to law school and then start your career.

Remember how I would always tease you about taking care of me when I got old? How you would have a big mansion and I would live in the west wing. Well I’m still counting on you to take care of me.

I want you to know how much I love and miss you everyday. I will always have hope that we will find you and bring you home. I pray everyday for your safe return.

God Bless and I love you,