Luke is the coolest kid in the world.

There are other cool kids, to be sure.

But Luke is the coolest.

Period.

I met him when he came into the world, an umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, and half purple from lack of blood. He quickly recovered, which is his hallmark. He is unafraid of trying anything, and while he sometimes is displeased with his inability to get things right the first time, he seldom gives up until he gets it right. And he gets it right very often.

I've known Luke for over six years now, and in that time, he has amazed me time and again with his humor, his guts, his tenderness, and his creativity. He is going to make a great man. I just have to do my part and be a good father for him to get him there. He has enormous potential, and no doubt will eclipse his father in all aspects.

He is so proud when he gets a new task down pat. Whether it's peddling his bicycle, putting on his own clothes, going potty, or whatever, he gets a serious, concentrated look on his face, and works at it with true zeal until he gets it right.

He has graduated from riding his little Yamaha PW50 mini-bike, to a Husqvarna CR50Jr mini-bike, and is really good on it, even though he still hasn't shucked his training wheels. He promised me he'd do that "when he was six". He turned six on Christmas Eve, and now we'll see...

His artwork is rapidly developing as well. For a five year old he amazes me. He drew a picture of the Bismarck fighting the Hood...then he drew the Bismarck on the bottom of the sea with an ROV exploring it. Wow. Thank you Discovery Channel.

He likes having stories read to him, and tells a good one himself. His reading is progressing, and now he's reading stories to us!

He enjoys playing in his sandbox, and riding his bikes. He gets along very well with all the other kids he's met, and shows a fantastic amount of natural leadership and is eagerly outgoing.

"Hey guys, wanna see something?!"