I witnessed firsthand how Michael and Bryce interacted and shared a beautiful intellectual curiosity. We were talking about building a 1980’s style arcade. I watched as they were seemingly building one together in their collective imagination. I’ll never forget it.

BLCFE19 ❤️

On April 13, 2019, Donna, Trina and I had traveled by car to Northeastern University in Boston to attend a concert by a choral group to which Bryce belonged. Finding ourselves with time for a bite to eat, Bryce, who was scheduled for a pre-performance rehearsal, therefore unable to join us, suggested that we try one of his favorite close by Mediterranean restaurants.

Not surprisingly, the rather small place was packed with students engaging in the kind of energetic and animated conversations so common to institutions of higher learning. One can not help but sense the energy exuding from those future movers and shakers of society.

As the busy proprietor of the place appeared to have things in control, we knowingly asked the rhetorical question as to whether he was familiar with a regular customer named Bryce Costawong, to which he replied with a shrug as if to say, “Are you kidding, do you have any idea as to how many hundreds of students who pass trough here every day?”; and just at that very second, who but Bryce appeared at the door, dressed in a spotless tuxedo and with big smile on his face.

I remember to this day the symbolism of that fleeting moment, when all eyes turned to the entrance of the restaurant and there stood the framed appearance of someone who, in sharp contrast to those of the crowd, was dressed in the ultimate symbol of achievement. However, judging by the quick resumption of the interrupted conversations, was the confident group message that just around the corner, with just a bit more effort, was the status soon to be reached by everyone there. On my part, I was never more proud that my grandson Bryce had already proven by his academic achievements that he was destined to have an august effect on our troubled society.