It just started off when he was telling a story about his favorite players and his family, then it led to him telling us. We were in total shock. No one really said anything. I could tell he was struggling because he doesn't want to leave, but when he's visiting his family and his grandchildren, he shouldn't be thinking about getting us ready.

He's always positive. He's always pumping us up after we come off the field. He tells us stores about all different players. He tells us that hard work is how Jeremy Thornburg got to where he is.

He's worked with many people over the years, but we seem to be his favorite. With him not being there last year, there was something missing. He's always been there, and for him to come back that showed how much he cares.

To lose a brother is to lose someone with whom you can share the experience of growing old, who is supposed to bring you a sister-in-law and nieces and nephews, creatures who people the tree of your life and give it new branches. To lose your father is to lose the one whose guidance and help you seek, who supports you like a tree trunk supports its branches. To lose your mother, well, that is like losing the sun above you. It is like losing--I'm sorry, I would rather not go on.

If the federal government believes free contraception is vital, then surely it can find another way to implement it than by forcing family businesses and religious broadcasters and others to violate their religious beliefs.

Science has advanced a long way in the 44 years since Roe v. Wade, and it is time that our laws reflect the undeniable truth that life begins at fertilization and that unborn citizens are entitled to the same protections as every American.