Anthony came into my life 17 years ago- A beautiful boy, with the imagination & dreams of one never touched by the ugliness of the world.
Anthony had the ability to stump me, quite often, with questions that I had no answers for. Questions in wonder of things that someone so young should not have even pondered.
However there was one question he posed to me that I did have the answer for & I will never forget it.......
The story goes something like this......
Anthony & I had in common, the fact that we were both bi-racial. Being bi-racial, I developed an interest in many forms of music, theater, fashion, food, etc., that one would consider odd for a person who is "black". As a result, I spent many years hiding the fact that I loved Carly Simon, REO Speedwagon, cowboy boots, sqare dancing, & saddle shoes-- among many other hidden pleasures.
As I grew older I discovered that there was absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the treasures from both my white & my black cultures, (as well as several other cultures that weren't even a part of my DNA makeup).
Unfortunately, it was many years into my adult life before I was able to embrace the beauty that I named my "Greyness". When I met Anthony, I realized very quickly that he was an extremely well rounded child & his mother was to thank for that. One day while visiting his mother, we were playing Meatloaf on the stereo- the music was very loud & I was singing the lyrics to every song on the tape. Anthony asked me later that day how I knew all of those words, for you see he had never really known someone that much like him. I told him the circumstances of my childhood, (which unlike his, were not pleasant) & how I came to be the adult that I was on that day. He listened & when I had finished asked me how I had dealt with the teasing & many horrors that I had gone thru growing up "Grey" in the 60's. I simply replied, "It's a Grey Thing Ant & the world will never understand."
My one regret from the conversation he & I had that day was that I told him I had those words put on a T-shirt & he indicated that he would love to have a T-shirt like that, I promised him I would get him one & never did. I guess I just felt I would have forever with him & that there was no hurry.
I know he would forgive me, because that is the type of person he was.
I had to send this message to his family & him; because I love you all & am a better person for having had the lot of you in my life.
I love you all!!!
Uncle Kelly
I remember Anthony so well. When he was a little one his karate was everything. As he got older he always wanted to help me at the shop. He would take the garbage out, run small errands. He even helped my son Johnathon with his homework. I remember him as if he is still here, well to me his spirit lives on. He's an old sole............Be Blessed.
By Toni Brown - November 28, 2000
Although I have never written to your homepage, I decided today was the day I should visit with you there. It's been three long years and four Thanksgivings without you. You should be an expert now at making your pumpkin pies. Instead, I make them by myself and think of you. I will always think of you and miss you. I love you.
Love, Aunt Toni
We have so many wonderful memories of Anthony that I don't know which ones to share. The best ones are at the lake jet skiing. He was sooo much fun. It took him no time to learn how to water-ski. When he saw a boat with some girls in it, he'd tell Jeff to ride by them. He knew he looked good. I am very thankful for the time we got to share with him.
Whenever I think of Anthony I think of when I came to Illinois and we became REALLY close. We would sit around all day and listen to music and play on the chat lines. The memory that really goes to my heart is when the song by Allison Kraus-You say it best when you say nothing at all came on and Anthony told me this song is for you Lindsey I'll always be there to catch you when you fall. Every time I hear that song I cry but also smile because I know Anthony is up in heaven singing his heart out to me.
I sometimes cry when I remember Anthony, but I often laugh. He will always be with me and not just in memory. I feel him beside me when I walk into the bookstore or drive past the army surplus store. I can hear him telling me to "Check this out, Aunt Lin." Don't forget that I want your stories about Ant for my book - Anthony's Hill
Though it has been 2 years past, when the children pray at the supper table, they still pray for Anthony. To some of the children he is someone they have heard about, but to the rest he is still alive in their memories.
Jasmine, Michaul, DJ and Zachia still sit and talk about their Uncle Ne and play imaginary games with him.
How can you forget or ever stop aching to see his smiling face. Every time I pulled up in Mollie's driveway, Anthony rarely failed to come bounding from the house to plant a wet kiss on your face and scoop the baby (Michaul) out of the car. That’s when I think of him the most. Anthony loved the children.