Look, Ma, No Hands! - Hanau Bird Sanctuary - Germany - May 1979 - Age 3

Leif was so precious at this age, a beautiful child. I doubt that there are many little boys who would miss walking on a log and Leif never missed an opportunity. This one was very long and he walked the whole thing. He had great balance and body control even as a very small child, traits that stood him in good stead when he took judo later.

It's hard for me to think about this trip to Hanau to see our dear friends, the Fackrells. Lili was one of my best friends. Now, both she and her husband Jim are dead, far too early, and so is Leif. Little did we all know that happy day in May 1979, at the park with our four children. Of the eight of us laughing and playing on that day, five are left.

Life is a fragile and priceless gift. Leif, too, was a fragile and priceless gift, it seems, no matter what a tall, imposing presence he became.