Nathan George Taylor

Nathan was born September 30, 1998. He is smart, kind, and honest to a fault. I think a story may help you understand the kind of person he is.

A few years ago he was playing youth soccer. Nathan did not inherit my competitive spirit, and I found myself constantly telling him to be an active participant. One evening as I was driving him to a game I reminded him to be active, to be aware at all times of where the ball is, and above all NO SKIPPING and NO PICKING FLOWERS!

As the game progressed I noticed that the other team had a kid who could kick like a mule. Nathan was playing fullback and there was a scrum at midfield on his side of the field. Out of the pack the mule-kicking kid booted the ball high into the air towards Nathan. I looked over at him and saw him looking up and was excited for him as no-one was around. I began to cheer as the ball came down, until I noticed that he wasn't tracking the ball, but rather was looking up at the lights. The ball landed right in front of him and bounced directly into his groin as his gaze never left the lights....man down. All parents, coaches, players, and officials let out a collective "ouch." I am ashamed to say that I was very embarrassed. Later in the game Nathan was back out there as a midfielder and there was again a scrum at midfield. Mule-kicking kid again booted the ball, but this time it was a line drive into a kids stomach about 15 feet away. The kids crumpled over in pain as the air was knocked out of him. Play continued and the pack moved away...except for Nathan who walked over, helped the boy up, put his arm around his shoulder, and helped walk him to the sideline. I couldn't have been any prouder.

That is the type of young man Nathan is. He loves animals (takes after his mom on that one) and is a great big brother to his little brothers and sister. He is beginning to come into his own and is questioning me on almost everything. This is both frustrating and exciting for me, to see him start to use his head, and push boundaries.

He was asked to give a talk in church a while back. He said he was very nervous, and I believe him. I helped guide him in his preparation, but the work was all his. When the day came he stood at the pulpit and gave his talk. I was sitting behind him and was interested in seeing how badly he would shake. He didn't shake at all. He even changed his opening joke at the last minute. Probably doesn't seem like a big deal, but again I was proud to call him son.

He has always had a simple innocence about him. When he was around 5 we were out at grandma's house in the summer for a family party. For dessert we were going to have strawberry shortcakes. I was in the kitchen picking off pieces of the angel food cake when he walked in, saw me and asked what I was eating. I told him it was bread, not wanting to use the word "cake" as we had not yet eaten dinner and I didn't want him to ruin his appetite. I sat down in the living room and a few minutes later he came out of the kitchen with an excited expression on his face. He came over to me and exclaimed, "That's not just bread, it is marshmallow bread!"

I love you Nathan!