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My great-granddaughter Addi’s best friend is Payton Monica.  Over the past year, I’ve heard a lot about Payton.  They were on the same softball team at Larayo this summer and are both in the fourth grade at St. Joan of Arc School.  When returning from school the first day, Addi was so excited to tell everyone that she sits next to Payton.

 

During the softball season, I found out that Payton’s father was Matt Monica, son of Anthony “Sugar Boy” Monica, one of my best friends.  I don’t use that name as some people do to identify a casual, social relationship.  He was a few years younger than me, but our relationship was special.  I loved him as a brother, in fact, Jeanne and I chose him to be the godfather of our daughter, Ann.

 

“Sugar Boy” and his wife, Linda, had two sons, Matt and Michael.  He was a great family man, loved his wife, and was a proud father of his two sons.

 

He served his country for two years in the Army and after his discharge, was employed at DuPont in the Human Resources Department.

 

He was one of the driving forces behind the Garyville Little League program and organized trips to Major League games in Kansas City and New York.

 

When I ran for state representative in 1963, he was my campaign manager and worked harder than I did.

 

Without a doubt, he was one of the most conscientious persons about serving his community, country and church.

 

Anthony “Sugar Boy” Monica died at age 50 on Christmas Eve in 1988.

 

God has blessed me and my family all of our lives.  One of the greatest gifts to us has been “Sugar Boy” Monica.

 

As I think about Addi and Payton, I’m reminded that it’s a small world.  God has allowed my best friend’s granddaughter to come into our lives.

 

 

 

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084 or e-mail hkeller@comcast.net.