Gary holding the author in 1963

Gary holding Michael (that's me!) in his hands. This is only 3 months after his academy graduation in November 1963. He was 24 years old. He and Marianne's daughter Melissa had died only 18 months prior.

The family story goes like this... Melissa was beautiful, with big round blue eyes and a perfect face. I, on the other hand, was born cross eyed and my head was a bit contorted from the birth... I was an ugly baby.

So when my parents saw me they cried. At least that's how I hear the story. Hah! Well, I got to write the book so paybacks suck!