I was asked a few weeks ago to write an obituary for Stephen for the Observer newspaper to be included in the 2014 review of those we lost.It was published last Sunday 21st December.For me its quite surreal seeing Stephens name being included in such prestigious company; mentioned with the likes of Bob Hoskins,Lauren Bacall,Tony Benn to name but a few. Id like to share my tribute with you: words that remember some of the qualities that made Stephen special.It was difficult to know where to begin but then I remembered a personal statement written by Stephen in 2011 and that was my start point. “To put it simply, I’m awesome, incredible and amazing. Quite a statement I know, but it’s an attitude Ive been forced to take up lately, simply due to about a year ago recently being diagnosed with cancer. I look for no sympathy, but I thought it appropriate to mention it early, because in a really cheesy, defining and perhaps peculiar ironic way, in the long term at least, I see it as one of the best things that has happened in my life. The drive, the motivation and the satisfaction I now take from life is the reason I thought it appropriate to start with such as bold statement. I find it hard to express my feelings via the characters I am currently typing, but honestly, life is what you make it to be, and I want it to be good. The positive outlook I now take on life has ignited a passion to learn, and a desire to succeed. Overall my main strength is to cope with anything that’s thrown at me, I am versatile but durable. I have no main real weaknesses. Despite what I have been through I wouldn’t change anything though. I do not feel I have lost a year of my life, as I have gained so much- I am that assured of the person I have become.” Back then in 2011 your bravery, honesty and joie de vivre shone through and you remained strong, diligent and focused until you passed away on 14th May 2014. Stephen your life may have been short but it was immensely significant and you demonstrated pure selflessness and positivity throughout. The feisty determined way you tackled each diagnosis never allowing your spirit to falter .What always shone through was pure Stephen bright as any diamond and just as tough .That brilliance will continue to shine for all time. Each of your astonishing achievements over the last 17 months of your life created another memory, another impression of Stephen to keep forever, another moment that cancer couldn’t steal. With Stephens story you wittily detailed your day to day life and because of your positivity everyone will remember how inspirational you were and because of this you live on in the hearts of everyone you touched. You dared to put everything out there for everyone to see. By being so willing to share yourself so totally and with such honesty you defined the best of being human. I, friends and people you had never met loved you because of that. Your love of life was amazing; seize and live every minute of every day. You knew that while youre on this earth, you had better have fun. You were the life and soul of the party with a wicked sense of humour. You loved your music and loved to dance. You were adventurous had no fear and lived your life with no regrets. Your enthusiasm gave people the push to start living. Your powers of persuasion were immense bringing so many people together united for one cause. There’s so much I have learnt from you some to share, some to keep closed in my heart forever. People have entered my life because of you; people have done wonderful things because of you and I am so proud of you. You created a strong, wonderful, vibrant, legacy. In life you were in a constant state of motion. A whirlwind, never stopping, or slowing down. Your vitality and intensity of expression reaching out to everyone. Stephen my beautiful, mischievous little boy who became a handsome, compassionate, inspirational young man. I will carry and hold you in my heart for as long as I live. You still kept that gorgeous smile on your face right through until the end – the smile that melted mine and everyone else’s hearts .It was an absolute honour to be your mom Stephen.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 19:00:01 +0000
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