This is my friend, Donnie. I took this picture at the Detroit River many summers ago. Marvin, Donnie, and I went there quite often to fish and talk. On this particular day, Donnie was teasing Marvin and I because we had just begun our dating relationship and Donnie said to us that day, 'I'll take a nap and let you love birds fish together. Wake me if something happens." I'll never forget that day.

Donnie passed away in March of 1998. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him and how special he was to me. I have kept all the cards he ever sent me and when I look back at his handwriting, I remember so many things. He said that he never thought he would see the day, that Marvin would be dating somebody and he knew that we were going to get married one day.

I miss him so much. He was loved by so many people. He loved it when I would come over and bring Matthew, and we would go out somewhere, whether it was driving around Grosse Ile, eating lunch, or walking Matthew around Heritage Park, we always had a good time together.

Donnie did a lot of painting in his free time and when Marvin and I came to see him, he let us pick out a few. Those are some of my precious treasures. He was one of my best friends and I wish he was here today. I know he would have been so happy to see where Marvin and I are in our lives. I know that he would have loved my kids. One of these days when I get to heaven, after I see Jesus, I'm going to run to Donnie and give him a huge hug because I loved him so much!

I miss you Donnie!