Some of my happiest memories growing up involve tooling around in an old john boat for hours waiting for the fish to start biting. Not sure how many times we solved the world’s problems, but it’s fair to say it was high number. When I picture Ben, that’s how I picture him; sitting on that front “seat” with his rod in one hand and that little bitty sculling paddle in the other, paddling backwards in a slow and steady rhythm, and philosophizing about everything from plastic worm colors to geopolitics or creation with equal passion. I would like to say we stayed close but that isn’t the case. Over time we took different paths and drifted apart. For my part I should have done more, but I always have and always will consider Ben my friend. I miss ya buddy. I should have told you sooner and yes Junebug is the best worm color.