Austin has a very treasured place in my heart. I have so many memories of us from childhood. We spent a lot of time together-- being on the same soccer team, taking karate lessons, playing video games, or just hanging out at Austin's house with Lady and August.
The first memory that comes to mind when I think about Austin is when the Cox's were living in a townhouse. I remember running up the stairs after school with him to his room, throwing on a Spice Girls cassette, and jamming out. I was Sporty Spice and he was Baby Spice, naturally. After that? Barbie Girl by Aqua. It was all very '90s.
He loved to perform and be in front of people. We did a lot of little skits and dances that he choreographed at our parents parties. I specifically remember one that we did set to a Team Rocket song from Pokemon. I have always been and still am on the quiet and introverted side. But Austin had a way of bringing people out of their shells and making them comfortable
When Austin and Mr. Billy used to get into what I'm sure Austin would call a debate, at some point Mr. Billy would exasperatedly look Austin in the face and say, "Son, you'd make a good lawyer." And from what I heard today, he was very right.
I think that the easiest way to sum up Austin is to say that he had a big personality, but an even bigger heart. I'll miss him and wish that in these later years I had spent more time with him. From what I heard at the memorial service, he stayed the Austin that I knew and was loved and cherished by many.
