My Memories Of Travis By Ginger Ryder

I guess that I met Trav when I was in second grade, he was in fourth. My mom and Liz had met while car pooling back and forth from Bangor. I remember the first time I went to their house. Trav was so shy and I recall him hiding under his bed (which he had made into a fort). He didn't talk much back then but only time would tell how many times since then we have just sat down and discussed everything from life to love and everything in-between. I also remember a certain trip that was made to New York City. It was over the Thanksgiving break. To me it was such a big deal because, I had never been out of the big state of Maine. We stayed at his uncle Jack's, I remember because he had a huge CD collection and I had never ever seen them. I remember listening to George Harrison's "I've got my mind set on you," and poor Trav trying to dance, still thinking of that today makes me want to giggle. We also watched the Macy's parade live. We also went to the Empire State Building, and somewhere along the way a certain picture was taking of us arm an arm, I can remember getting teased so much by Liz and my mom. Though no one "knew" where the picture was and who exactly had it. They had told Trav and I that they were going to use it for blackmail, if for some reason they had to. I guess we both have been pretty good because the picture had stayed hidden away for a long time. (lol) One time while we were out to Liz's, we decided to go pick some blackberries. After eating more then we'd picked, Trav, Robert and I decided to head back to the house leaving Liz and mom behind we raced back to the house, (Oh I can't forget Max, he was still pretty much a puppy and right at our heels) well, Robert being little couldn't keep up. But oh well.. So it was just Trav and I, and I could not be out done by him! I really can't remember how it happened but, somehow I dared him to get in the trunk of our car. I guess he thought I wouldn't actually shut it. But AH AHA I did! I think I left him in there for a good five minutes or until I thought that that the moms might get back. When I finally let him out ....good LORD...I thought that I'd be safer if I had locked myself in the trunk! But, he got over it soon and then we were back doing something else. I also remember when he turned 18. He was so proud! He had gotten a razor in the mail. This made him "manly." He was on his way to get his senior pictures done, I think, and stopped at my house to show me the clothes he was going to wear and to ask me if they would look ok and which one I liked the best. BUT MOST OF ALL he had to show me his new razor!!! I took one look at his face and said something along the lines of, "What are you going to shave? Your peach fuzz?" I didn't realize it at the time but Liz later told me that I had hurt his feelings. And that made me feel really bad. But a couple years down the road we looked back and laughed at it. I remember Liz and Phil's wedding, I caught the flowers and Trav's friend Trey caught the garter. I have a picture that was taken of Trav, Trey, Ben and I outside. He looked quite "studly" in his Tux and I thought that Trey and Ben were dressed quite nicely. I think that I was in heaven, Me with 3 such dapper men as they "thought" they were. Needless to say I think that we all had a blast. Poor Liz and Phil's car..what a mess. I have so many memories of Trav, to me he was my "big brother" but most of all I considered him my best friend. He helped me out though some rough times, listened patiently and gave me some of the best advice. And for that he will always have a special place in my heart. I'm going to miss him very much and I thank god that I was able to see him last summer while I was home. He will always mean the world to me and I'm glad that he can smile down on all of us. Love and Miss Ginger