I would like to start by thanking Tyler for asking me to speak about Mason. As the innocent bystander of many of my staff meetings... I naturally question his desire to voluntarily listen to me.

Come to find out ,his intentions were simple. Since I had seen Mason grow up, who could be better to speak on his behalf? Well, I thought...maybe someone wasn't consumed with emotion...and capable of rambling for hours on end???

Although this is one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do, it is the profund joy that Mason gave me that gives me the strength to stand her today.

The Hupp Family came into my life many years ago, and we've spent a lot of time solifying the bond that now exist between their family and mine. As memories of Mason raced through my mind, I relized that summing up "his larger than life" personality wasm't going to be an eay task. As I tried to put my thoughts together, I could hear Breezy screaming, "MOM!" This wa OFTEN a sound that Lori and I heard while we tried to relax after a long night of coaching... and ALWAYS an indication that Mason and Breezy's nightly WWF match had turned in Mason's favor. Lori did her best to separate them, but the separation never lasted long.

Mason had amazing charisma with children. Well, all children excep Breezy. Almost eighteen... She's now tough as nails...thanks in no small part to Mason's determination to make her so. I have to wonder if a big brother's instinct allow him to foresee a little sister growing up to become a smart, talented, and beutiful young woman...who will need more than a stick to fight the boys off with!

After his death, the depth of a bond is truly felt, and oour loved one becomes more a part of us than was ever possible before. This could be interpreted as the bond between that of siblings. Mason was born on my brother's birthday, June 9th, and not only did they share the same birth date, they shared the same enthusiasm for soccer, life and the love of families. Mason loved his family with every ounce of his being.

I keep reminiscing on the sweet boy with the big smile, crystal blue eyes and the lust for life that he exuded. That reminiscing become overshadowed by the sound of the "music" pumping out of his red low rider that won't quit ringing in my ears. when he first claimed his driving independence, he could be heard from a mile away! "Here comes Mason," I would say to Lori, as the metal building thumped and rattled as he approached.  Mason was coming to tell Lori it was time to come home; he was hungry for dinner and ready to be with his mamma, and oh man was that boy sweet on his momma.

Unpredictalbe was just his way. Eventually, there was nothing he could do to surprise me. Take for instance his hair...I could never predict what he would look like when he got his hair cut. AND, I thought it unimaginable when he pierced his ears...and then he got his first tattoo! Although, if memory serves me correctly, didn't Pat take him to get that???

Beyond his love of life, there are two things that I hope you will never forget about Mason. Those are is faith in love, and his humility. Both are qualities that we all think we have, but by comparison, he makes us look bad. Love is something that is hard for a lot of us to give. No one walks through life blindly handing out love and affection to everyone they meet...rather, we quard our hearts as though the hurt we may cause ourselves could be the only obstacle we are incapable of overcoming. Even harder than that, none of us walk through life able to gracefully receive the love that is given to us. I admire Mason because love came naturally to him, and his life emulated it..

Humility is even more difficult. Who among us goes out in the world, eager to conquer the impossible, simply to satisfy one's self? We do things to please our families, and we do things to enrich our pocketbooks, and we do things to ultimately prove to someone else that we are worthy. I never saw that in Mason. His ethics in the gym were insurmountable. He was the overachiever of the handstand contest, the wayward admirer of the standing back tuck whp refused to be left out, and theadvocate of giving hard work a purpose. He did nothing for his own glory. He live his life to prove to himself that he was capable of achieving anything.

That's not to say that Mason didn't do for others. He was the DO-ER for others. There is nothing that he would not have selflessly done for his friends and family. There was never a bag that Lori would lift, or a muscle that she could strainin his presence. Maybe there was a twenty she could lend here and there in return...but allin all, Mason's actions were put of love and respect. I can effortlessly count at least three time that I moved, that wqould not have been possible without his commitment to lending a hand.

I think we all live our lives, ultimately hoping that one day we can become someone's memory.  Mason is more than a memory to me. His fun-loving approach is a characteristic I wish to live my life by.

I can not stand here and speak of his beautiful soul without extending my deepest appreciation to Pat and Lori for instilling so much love into their children. The love and independence that exudes from these three beautiful human beings impacts everyone who comes in contact with them. There was never a time that Mason walked into a room and missed the opportunity to acknowledge everyone in his presence. He always greeted me with a hug, but no just any hug...a MASON HUG.The king of hug that makes you feel like you had been wrapped in a warm blanket.

Their household is one of love and respect...and how blessed is the home in which each member puts the others happiness first? Thank-you for sharing your hame and family with me.

I couldn't help but give Mason my heart, and now I wonder if, since his physical being is gone, has he taken my heart with him? Will I spend the rest of my wordly days with this hole inside me that can not be filled? I don't think that is the case because I have faith, and by definition, faith is my belief in the things that my eyes can not see. I have faith that we will meey again, but in the interim...i do not intend to forget.

I will never stop speaking of the joy that Mason brought to my life, and I will never bite my lip to hold back a smile when he enters my thoughts. Most importantly, I will never let a little boys parents' question whether or not they should enroll their child in gymnastics. I will politely smile and remind them...of Mason, a shining Gem.

As Tyler put it, I watched Mason grow up. That may be true, but as far as the Hupp children go, I am far from done watching them grow.

I would like to leave you with a litle wisdom from Dr. Seuss. He says, "Don't cry because its over...smile because it (life) happened".