Catholic youth's fish story in new 'Chicken Soup' book for preteens

Published: 2004-06-22

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (CNS) -- Max Alexander, a Catholic youngster from Fort Wayne, figures he and his Grandpa Freiburger were fishing buddies from the time Max started walking. They probably fished together at least 30 times a year, so by the time Max was 10, they had racked up at least 300 trips. Of course, every fisherman has a fish story, and Max is no exception. In fact, his story of the time he and his grandpa hooked a favorite fishing pole -- plus a surprise -- has just been published in "Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2." Little did then-10-year-old Max know on the day of the now immortalized fishing trip that it would be nearly the last time he and his grandfather would share that pastime. Jerry Freiburger died unexpectedly just a short time later. In an interview with Today's Catholic, newspaper of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, Max said he wrote his story as a way to grieve and to let people know what a special experience the two had shared during one of their final fishing expeditions.

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