Nick, my precious son....you made my life beautiful. You are missed and I will miss spending time with you. I will visit you as much as I can.

I went to university with Nick. I'll remember him for his spontaneity, his friendliness, his intellect, and his attitude and will to live. I'll carry a memory with Nick with me for as long as I live.

I've known Nick since i was 5. One summer, Nick spent just about every night at our house. One time that sticks out to me is when we were playing on our new folding basketball goal in my basement. The only problem with this was that, on occasion, the goal would fold in on itself. Being much smaller than Nick, I was unable to hold the goal up myself. While reaching for a ball I put too much weight on the front and the goal began to fall over. My head was against a metal pole and best-case scenario I would be making a trip to the emergency room if the goal were to fall on me. I hear the goal coming and close my eyes expecting the worst, when all of the sudden it stops. Nick was standing next to me casually holding up the entire goal like it was no big deal and pushed it back into place.

Dear Nicholas James Spaulding; Happy Birthday!!!! I can’t believe you would have been 23 years old today. Your entry into this world was at 8:01p at Norton Hospital when dear Rita Fleming delivered you, a bouncing baby boy weighing 6-11 ½ lbs. A son, A SON!!!! I was just too proud; proud as a peacock and later that night I went home and released blue balloons into the clear, starry night sky as a private thank you to heaven. When I saw you for the first time, it was love at first sight and that’s when I truly saw the face of God. I continued to see His Face every time I delivered a baby and every time my eyes gazed in disbelief upon the miracle of YOU….. I miss you as my only begotten son and as my best friend; a void which will never be filled till we meet again. I have always been and always will be so proud of you. You were the apple of my eye. Your mother and I continue to tend you. I am grateful for you making my life beautiful for 22 years….. This loss I suffer is proof of God, for what else could have created a being capable of such profound grief..... I love you, my beloved son…..rest easy….you will NEVER be forgotten Dad