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Forward
While reading this book, there are a few things I feel
are important reference points. First and foremost,
Keaton has been an absolute blessing from God to
our entire family and many others who cross his path.
I am convinced that our family, and more specifically
my marriage, has been strengthened ten-fold through
his life. While I would be lying if I did not admit to
having those days when I question why God will not
simply ‘heal’ Keaton; I realize God has greater things
in mind!
As Pam and I began searching for just the perfect
name for our first born, there was a huge issue. We
both had been school teachers for several years by
then, teaching hundreds of kids. Every time one of us
came up with a name, there always seemed to be an
objection by the other. Seems our experiences with
some of our more ‘difficult students’, left a bad taste
in our mouths about their given names. After several
weeks of tossing about names and even looking at
a few of those “Name Books”, our search became
stagnant. Then out of the blue, Peggy Love, my
mother-in-law called my wife and told her she had
the perfect name, Mark Keaton; the first name after
me and Keaton being my mom’s maiden name. How
many in-laws have that kind of relationship?
Peggy and mom did not meet until Pam and I were
close to being engaged and they lived 90 miles apart.
So why would she be so willing to name her first
grandchild after my mom? Simple, she was a lady of