During the four years that Chris lived with my family I always joked that someday I would write a book about the experience.  I don’t think I ever went a day without at least one hug, one tickle and, yes, one burp.  If I had enough time and a clear enough memory I could fill pages with the funny comments from Chris- always delivered right on cue.  From his announcement in the mall when I was pregnant with my son, “Baby Andrew in the tummy”, to his comment one evening, “Doreen- look!  See the dark!”, to his teaching my son to talk, “B-B-B-B Horse. Say it Andrew!”, the one I remember clearest is from the first day I met Chris.  Probably because no one can forget meeting Chris.
 
I had just moved to town and my fiancée at the time, Dave, was taking me to Denver for a Rockies Game.   We were also taking Chris and Dave B. along.   Dave must have told Chris they were coming to get me.   But I wasn’t quite ready and Dave went back to wait in the car with the guys.  Chris simply looked at Dave and said “You forgot Doreen!”  And thus I was “forgotten” every now and then over the next few weeks/months.
 
Unfortunately many of my favorite memories of Chris are not captured on video or pictures as I wish I could share them with many of you.    The look on Chris’s face when he got a ride in our neighbor’s cherry red Dodge Viper, the peals of laughter zipping him in the inner tube around my in-law’s lake, the way he loved to ride in the loader bucket of my Dad’s tractor each and every time we took him to visit the farm and would sit in the bucket for hours waiting for someone to come give him a ride.  The giggles and singing from the living room where he and my toddler watched their videos and shared toys, the way he danced so hard in the van to his music the entire car shook and drew stares from the other drivers, the way you always wanted to help push (uh pull) Andrew’s stroller on our walks, the red cup that sat permanently beside our sink for Chris to get a drink of water. (yes- it got washed but just went right back beside the sink.), the way he greeted his providers every morning as if he hadn’t seen them in months.
 
I feel privileged to have been Chris’s host home.  I know no greater honor than to have been entrusted with his care.  His memory will live forever in the heart of our family. (And on our home movies since he always managed to get into the footage! =) )

Doreen Merz