ROBERT 

Robert?  I’ve always know him as Bobby. We met in first grade, and anyone who went to school with Bobby remembers that he was always drawing. Not all our teachers cared for this, though a few were encouraging. He said he wanted to draw cartoons when he grew up. It sounded like a typical childhood fantasy, like being an astronaut or Superman. A nice dream.

Fast forward 30-some years later, when I reconnect with Bobby on Facebook. And wouldn’t you know it, he’s an illustrator. He’s worked on major computer-animated films. He’s illustrated children’s books. His own work is whimsical and haunting and beautiful. He’s living his lifelong dream. Not many can say that.

It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. In high school, Bobby was always my formal dance date. I was painfully shy and always asked him because we were friends. The pictures are hilarious - each year he grew taller and taller while I stayed the same height. By the end he towered over me. Years later a friend told me that classmates teased him for taking me to dances since I was considered such a dorky loser. I never knew that. I appreciate even more his friendship. Though weren’t close - I was way  too shy to be friends with a boy - his kindness meant the world to me.

Plus he could really bust a move to Technotronic’s “Pump Up The Jam.”

Happy Birthday Wonderful You!