Alan was always very quiet and shy growing up. He was simple minded. He always followed all rules down to the letter. Alan has always been easy going, and was always smiling. He was very smart. It was always amazing to me, all through school, he would never bring books home or appear to ever do homework. But, he was always on the honor roll, and received the "Student of the Month" award, so many times.

  Alan loved to take things apart when he was younger. He might be in the living room sneaking the remote to his bedroom, taking it apart..to see," how it works". He loved electronics, taking things apart and putting them back together. I distinctly remember, when Alan was eight years old, he had one of those little wooden airplanes that had the rubberband propellar, that we used to get as kids. He took some wires off of his radio and attached them to a AA battery, attached that battery to the propellar with scotch tape . He came into the kitchen and said, "Moma, look what I made". Then he touched the battery to the wire and the propellar started turning really fast. I was amazed. He said it took him about 5 minutes to do that. Everyday he would amaze me with doing things like that. I would always brag on him, because he always made me so proud. Alan was very humble. He did'nt like for me to make a big deal out of  all his accomplishments. Every time Alan would get an award at school, he would'nt say anything about. I would just happen to see it later on. Then I would tell him what an honor it is, and he would say," Ah, well, it ain't no big thing", and just go on about his business. Alan did'nt get excited about little things.

  I was very close to Alan. He was my only son and also the middle child. He made it so easy for me to raise him, to be the outstanding man that he became. I was so proud that he was never rebellious while growing up.He never went through the usual teenage junk. Alan was very level headed. He always had high respect for everyone he came in contact with. He would ask for my  advice, and he would take everything I told him to heart.

  Alan had such a easy going and caring demeanor. Everybody that has encountered Alan knows that, after sitting around talking to him, you leave the conversation with a different, calm, feeling about life. Alan was a great inspiration to me, especially in the last two weeks before he died.

  We are all so proud of Alan for the person he was. And for all the people that crossed Alan's path in life..I'm sure he left a great impression for you to relish the memories that he left behind. And if  you listen closely... you can still hear him playing his guitar.

Everyday, I hear Alan's last words to me.."I love you too, Moma". Listening to these words echo in my head over and over everyday, is my comfort, that Alan is with me every where I go.

  We all miss Alan, tremendously. His memories will never fade away.