When Dragon turned four, we got him his first car. He zipped around in that Corvette for many years.

Last year, when he got back from Johns Hopkins, he asked Daniel, “Dad, at the end of summer, do you think you could start teaching me how to drive?” He was looking forward to turning 16. He thought he’d be a good driver.

I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to celebrate your birthday without you.

Happy 16th birthday, my son.

Dragon, on his 14th birthday, paddleboarding and showing off his abs
Dragon, on his 14th birthday, paddleboarding and showing off his abs