As I've built this website, I have often wondered if other people will enjoy reading these stories as much as I enjoy sharing them.

The truth is, I don't know.  What I do know is that I love telling them.  Because every story, every photograph, every memory, and every page helps keep a little piece of Austin alive.

 Austin was special in a way that is difficult to explain.  Of course, he was special to me. I'm his mother. Mothers are supposed to think their children are special. But Austin wasn't only special to me.  He was special to other people too.

  There was something about him that drew people in. He made friends everywhere he went. He could walk into a room full of strangers and leave with new friends. He had a way of making people feel comfortable, welcomed, and valued.

  He carried a light inside him that people were naturally drawn toward.

 Someone told me that Austin had "a little Jesus in him."  At the time, I laughed.  But I understood exactly what they meant.  They weren't talking about religion. They were talking about kindness. About acceptance.  About the way Austin could love people exactly as they were.  About the way people felt better after spending time with him.   About the way complete strangers seemed to become friends.  There was just something about him.  Something that is difficult to put into words.

  Maybe that's why this website exists.  Because I know I can never fully explain Austin.   But if I can share enough stories, enough photographs, enough laughter, enough adventures, and enough memories, maybe you'll begin to see what all of us saw.

  Maybe you'll understand why so many people loved him.

  and you'll understand why we all loved him so much.

 Click the photos below to read more about Austin.