Admiration/Apology To the man I saw so long ago with his son. When you met me I was a confused young man and I didn't understand. I was hurt,chided, and very misguided. It took me many years to see that the examples I had been shown were wrong. That we don't have to live that way. When I met you and your son I was brash, abrasive, and completely uncouth. You and your son were out for the evening I believe we were waiting in a line for something. I cannot be more specific, I was less than sober. It was the early 90's. I guess he smelled the alcohol, he became quite obnoxious and made some comments about the way I dressed and smelled. I was so out of it that I was so out of it that I almost hit him. You were amazingly calm with me and stepped between us. It was only then that I realized, had the time to see, that he was handicapped. I think with what I know now that the boy was probably a victim of Down's Syndrome. You calmed him and I expertly. Then I focused on you as a threat. You and he were wearing matching outfits, sort of like the old time detectives. I demanded to know why you dressed him up and took him out in public like that. I didn't know that I was the real weirdo. But you were so patient. You said,”I take him out like that and buy him clothes like that because it makes him happy... he's my boy.” You had your palms open towards me. I just threw my hands up and walked away. In the background I heard you chastise him, and I was so polluted, physically and spiritually, that I was happy about it. I know now that I probably ruined a happy father son day for you. As I look at my own boys now I realize that he will always be that sweet little boy for you, trapped inside himself, never able to really grow up. I know how painful that must be for you. As a father I can now see. You did not waste your breath that day on some dumb punk. I remembered. I can only hope to be that good of a father to my own kids. You have set an example that I will follow. I will tell my kids about it. I hope that you and your son are well, and you have my sincerest apologies and belated admiration. Wade

I have not written much here fore some time. My familly has had some seriopus heath issues to deal with lately. My Mother sick with cancer and My Father fighting complications from diabetes. My Mother has lost her fight due to complications from the cancer and pnuemonia. We are seeking donations to help us honor her wishes and burry her ashes with the remains of my older brother Brian Spiker who died in 1967 at the age of 2.5-3 days. We need at least about $1000.00 for the cemetary to open and close the grave. This does not include the stone. Mom didn't want him to be alone. She never got over his loss. If you wish to help please send a donation to:  Herritage Valley Federal Credit Union 777 Kings Mill Rd. York, Pa. 17404 ( Mark it for Shirley M. Widener's Memorial Fund in care of Pennie Spiker) Pray for my Dad, Charles R. Spiker, he still has grandkids wiating to play with him. Thanks, Wade