As I am sitting down to write this month's column, I am shocked to realize that this is my last column for 2007. To say that this year went by fast is an understatement. There is so much to recap about with many good memories of this past year. My favorite part of this year has been the many family visits I have had with my kids and grandchildren. My wife and I did a lot of traveling and we have been blessed to be in good health, so I guess its safe to say that 2007 was a good year.  

My proudest moment of this year was a phone call that I received from my youngest son, Afa Jr, telling me that he was going to be at Monday Night Raw on November 19th in Ft Lauderdale Florida and that he was scheduled to wrestle my long time friend hacksaw Jim Duggan. The match went real well and is airing on the WWE Heat program this Saturday (11/ 24/07) & via the Internet. 

 I was at my Wild Samoan wrestling school training my class when the call came in, and my wife came running into the gym all excited telling me that Afa was on the phone. He told me his news and I was so proud that I had to share it with the class.  

I told Afa Jr to call me after the match and of course I gave him some good advice such as listen to the veteran and respect their experience, and the veteran will not only take care of him but will give him the shirt off his back. That night I waited anxiously for that call. It didn't come, so I called and called and called. Finally when I got home from training I called him again and he picked up the phone laughing that he got my messages and he was fine.  At this time it was 12:30 am Tuesday morning.  He was at a gas station heading home. At that minute my wife started to cry and when I asked her what was wrong she said "I can't believe that Afa is all grown up and following in your footsteps" 

It seems like it was just yesterday in my mind that I took my little 13 year old boy to work with me on a tour in Vienna, Austria in 1998, and today he is a man following the family tradition.  

What a proud moment for a father. For the past year Afa Jr has been living in Tampa under the WWE developmental camp (Florida Championship Wrestling) So today is my Birthday and I am happy and proud that my youngest son has finally made it on his own and can tie his own boots, so now I can relax and enjoy my birthday!  

One of the most important jobs a father can do is to do his best to make sure his children are all well off before he can focus on himself and enjoy what is left of his life. So I'm proud to say that my youngest son is a man now and I think I'm ready to just relax and spend the rest of my life fishing in Florida with my beautiful wife and watch TV in my rocking chair with a big smile on my face.  

So until next year may you all have a happy holiday season and remember God is good.  

Afa The Wild Samoan  (POPS)