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Once Hunter told me with his eyes that he was comfortable with any challenging activity, we moved on to shaving cream games, pudding games, cotton balls, and feathers. The feathers: that was Hunter’s chance to show everyone how much air he could get into his lungs! We would take turns blowing, and he would always blink for enjoyment with that game.

Special moments between Hunter and I always surfaced when something I brought was a little more challenging. When he was four years old, we moved into many crafts. Boy, was Hunter an artist. Whenever someone would take a peek at our activity for the day, whether it was painting, coloring, or gluing, a look would come across their face as if to say, “Can Hunter really do this?” He always surprised everyone with his creative use of his hands, arms, shoulders, and even elbows.

Hunter even wrote many book reports, as he was ready to enter his school years. He loved making a picture to illustrate the story he had just read.

Hunter loved making gifts for Mommy and cards for everyone. His gifts always came from the heart, even if he needed a little help with the materials. He enjoyed making sunflowers for Mommy and special poems for Daddy. He always made time to make cards for his sisters too.

As Hunter’s school years began, he proved to everyone that he could learn school-age material, just in a different way. The way he answered questions so consistently and effortlessly is a very special memory I keep in my mind. Hunter would always be calm and at ease when it was time to learn, even if he was having a difficult day with his breathing.

I feel like Hunter and I shared so much. But the most important memory that I will keep in my heart is that Hunter was a teacher. When I walked into Hunter’s house for the first time, I was thinking, I am his teacher and I will teach him so much. But what I didn’t realize is that Hunter was my teacher too. He taught me how to be brave in difficult times; how to encourage others to keep learning, and you can always learn more; how to love people closest to you because no one knows you better than they do; never take your days for granted—there is always a challenge lying ahead; your children come first when you get home, and don’t lose precious time; and to always have hope for the days that lie ahead.

I miss Hunter deeply, and it is very difficult to change a routine that I had with one of my closest friends after six years. But I do know that it was a great privilege and honor to get to know Hunter in such a special way.

I will never forget you, Hunter.

Love,

Kristin

(Hunter’s speech therapist)

Wow! There are so many memories of Hunter that I cherish! Some are when Hunter received the coveted Boy Scout Award; just hanging out, praying, or reading to him at home; watching him with you, Jill, on his first horse ride; and of course, getting to hold him in the swimming pool at Grammie’s. Although all of these and tons more are precious, one that stands out the most for me at this time is the “late night with Hunterboy” memory.

Everyone was settled down for the night. We all said Scriptures together and prayed. What amazing times! Hunter had his therapy and had finished watching a video… probably Young Black Stallion or Joseph. While you were getting ready for bed, Hunter and I talked about our day. He had the usual busy day with therapy, school, playtime, and Jacuzzi. Hunter should have been tuckered out big-time. I was asking him so many questions and he was so talkative, it just cracked me up! We laughed together as we talked about the Night Creatures story we’d read earlier in the playroom. We laughed a lot because Kimmy tried to draw some of those creatures after we read about them. Hunter was telling me what else I should draw or how I could make it look even better. He was so patient with me.

As we were discussing more of our day, you came into the room and told Hunter, “It’s time to go to sleep, young man. It’s almost one in the morning.” You asked Hunter if he was ready