Mike and I were psyched. Our families were taking a golf vacation at Hot Springs Village together.<\/p>\n
The Christophersons lived down the block from us, but they were more than neighbors. Cindy and Dale were like an aunt and uncle to me.<\/p>\n
In fact, we even figured out we were related\u2014Mike and his sister, Amy, were my second cousins several times removed. I wouldn\u2019t have thought it possible, but we got even closer to the Christophersons after my big brother, Andy, died in a car accident. They were always at our house, bringing over food, asking if we needed anything.<\/p>\n
They really encouraged us to take the vacation to Hot Springs Village too. You see, my family had been there before; it was the last vacation we took with Andy before he died. In a way, I felt like this trip was all about remembering him. And there was a lot to remember.<\/p>\n
By the time Andy was a sophomore, he was already developing into a fine point guard. I was in eighth grade then. There was nothing like watching Andy in his white uniform with the big red 20 on the back, doing some fancy ball handling, dribbling downcourt for a three-point shot. The crowd learned to keep its eye on number 20.<\/p>\n
When Andy died, the school gave us his uniform. Two years later, though, part of me was still scanning the court for him, or thinking that he might suddenly show up and shoot some hoops with Mike and me in the driveway. Our minister said I\u2019d see Andy again one day in heaven, and I wished I could believe it.<\/p>\n
I mean really believe it. Andy hanging around the court in a white uniform was one thing, but with a bunch of angels in white robes? I just couldn\u2019t picture it. For now I had to settle for reliving some of the good times we had golfing at Hot Springs Village.<\/p>\n
Mike and I helped our dads load up. We put the TV and PlayStation in the back of our van, and Mike rode with us. \u201cI brought plenty of games and a stack of DVDs,\u201d I said. \u201cWe\u2019re set for the next two days.\u201d Mike gave me a high five as we rolled down the driveway. Dale, Cindy and Amy followed in their car.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, guys,\u201d my mom said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to make an extra stop tomorrow. Cindy and Amy want to visit the Precious Moments Inspiration Park.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked up from the game, completely blowing my next shot. \u201cPrecious Moments Inspiration Park?\u201d I said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to be kidding.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNope,\u201d said Mom. \u201cIt\u2019s in Carthage, Missouri. Right on our way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike and I looked at each other in horror. Precious Moments theme park had to be a drag any day, but on this trip especially. This was supposed to be about Andy! Andy did not \u201cdo\u201d Precious Moments.<\/p>\n
I threw a pleading look at Dad, but he shook his head. We all knew if Mom wasn\u2019t happy, no one was happy.<\/p>\n
Mike groaned. \u201cIt\u2019s settled,\u201d Dad said. \u201cWe\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n
I slumped back against the side of the van.<\/p>\n
Early next afternoon, I spotted the sign for Carthage, Missouri. Precious Moments Inspiration Park\u2014Next Exit, it proclaimed. I hoped Dad would just whiz by it, but he turned the wheel. In no time we had come to a stop in the parking lot. The Christophersons met us at our van. \u201cJake and I will stay here and chill,\u201d Mike said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, no, you won\u2019t,\u201d said Cindy. \u201cYou\u2019re coming in and you\u2019re going to like it!\u201d Mom gave me that look, and I followed her to the ticket booth. We paid for seven tickets and entered the park. Everywhere you looked there were statues with huge heads and eyes. A fountain sprayed water in time to classical music. Benches lined the walkways so visitors could stop and peacefully take it all in.<\/p>\n
It was just about the last place on earth I wanted to be. After about an hour of Amy and the moms cooing, Cindy pointed up a stone path. \u201cLook,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s the chapel.\u201d<\/p>\n