John loved Christmas. He had broken his leg right before the holidays, hit by a car while shopping for Mom. His biggest concern in the moment was that she not look in the bag so that his Christmas gift to her would still be a surprise. Just a sweet person, always.

John and Mom in front of St. Agnes Church in the summer of 1986 when he was nine. And me and John later that same day. We love you, honey. We miss your smile already.

John and I as teenagers enjoying Christmas. We were a busy family running a small restaurant, Mom and Dad worked seven days a week. But things always stopped for Christmas, and we relaxed together for the day.