Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Sometimes We Do Learn Things From Our Kids
Sometimes We Do Learn Things From Our Kids. In the past few days, I've learned a lot from my sons, Tyler and Will (19 and 16 years old). I learned about their love for their friend who died Sunday, and about how they feel about one another and their friends. Live life to the fullest, enjoy every day of your life, don't sweat the small stuff, share good times with your friends and family, tell your friends you love them, learn to fly when you can...these are a few lessons that I have learned from my son, Tyler, who paid a tribute to his good friend, Ian Burgett, yesterday at Ian's funeral. Over 500 people showed up for this highly emotional funeral for an 18 year old Smithfield, Virginia high school senior, who was in a tragic car accident, early Sunday morning.
Tyler's friend, Ian, touched many lives in our small town, and he had a profound effect on the hundreds of friends that knew Ian. We will miss him dearly. I have posted Tyler's speech that he read to everyone yesterday...
My Ray of Sunshine; Ian Michael Burgett by Tyler Edwards
A subtle reminder of life’s everyday gifts can make all of the difference in how we live our lives and who we are as people. Today, I want to reflect. No, not in the sense of sorrow-filled remembrance, rather, I want to reflect my ray of sunshine, my memories of a person that serve as a source of charm, humor, compassion, and everyday miracles.
As we gather here today, I pray that we can see the silver lining that lies within my friend’s heart of gold. After all, Ian wouldn’t have it any other way. Ian’s radiant smile and glowing optimism has left an act that I’m afraid no one can follow. In fact, his happy-go-lucky nature can be summarized by my experiences with him on a sailboat. It was an extremely windy day (to say the least) and just as we were turning the boat, a roaring, howling wind lifted the boat out of the water, pre-empting the imminent demise of our dry clothing. Naturally, I panicked and worsened the situation. Meanwhile, Ian leaned over the rising side of the boat to act as a counter-balance to the forces of the wind. The boat quickly righted, and he uttered his proverbial catch phrase, “Don’t worry guys, I got this,” coupled with a perfectly timed flip of the hair…
It was then I realized that even the most minute acts of humor and optimism can amount to bright memories that turn into priceless treasures. These treasures that Ian has left us serve as a testament to his loving and giving nature. His spare time over the summers was spent helping those in need as he volunteered at the Riverside Hospital. For the 18 years that I knew Ian, I had never once heard him ask for anything in return for his acts of kindness, nor had I heard him complain. His generous soul can be attributed to his willingness to seek guidance and advice from his mother, father, friends, teachers; and especially the one he idolized the most; his brother…
Ian had a nag for brightening days with so much as a smile and a witty joke that always drew laughter. His calm yet charismatic voice commanded the room. His unparalleled charm has captured the hearts of all who have met him. Needless to say, he did this a little too well. I don’t want to speak for others, but Ian could literally convince me to do anything; including convincing me to happily pay for his McDoubles whenever we stopped at McDonalds.
Ian’s closest friends can attest to his uncanny ability to read body language and emotions. Ian was the best friend, brother, and son that anyone could ask for: he was always there to catch the first tear before it even had a chance to hit the ground…
It is for these reasons that Ian is my ray of sunshine. As the days go by, I will always treasure the memories that my friend that I love has given me. It is said that it takes seven years for rays from the sun to reach our planet… Correct me if I’m wrong, but if Ian was 18 years old, that’s at least 126 years of memories until I have to crack into all of the pictures and videos that he stars in.
I hope that we can all cherish a piece of Ian’s legacy in our hearts. Use it as guidance and solace. Who knows? Maybe those memories will hold us over until we can one day see him again.
Tyler Edwards (far left), 19 years old, is a freshman at Virginia Tech and is majoring in Building Construction. Ian Burgett (blue vest) was 18 years old, graduating from Nansemond Suffolk Academy this month, and was heading to James Madison University this fall.
For Information about East West Partners’ communities, visit www.eastwestcommunities.com. Discover the best in lifestyle communities at Founders Pointe, Eagle Harbor, Liberty Ridge, and The Riverfront at Harbour View. East West Realty Sales Centers are open 7 days a week on-site. Equal Housing Opportunity
Tyler's friend, Ian, touched many lives in our small town, and he had a profound effect on the hundreds of friends that knew Ian. We will miss him dearly. I have posted Tyler's speech that he read to everyone yesterday...
My Ray of Sunshine; Ian Michael Burgett by Tyler Edwards
A subtle reminder of life’s everyday gifts can make all of the difference in how we live our lives and who we are as people. Today, I want to reflect. No, not in the sense of sorrow-filled remembrance, rather, I want to reflect my ray of sunshine, my memories of a person that serve as a source of charm, humor, compassion, and everyday miracles.
As we gather here today, I pray that we can see the silver lining that lies within my friend’s heart of gold. After all, Ian wouldn’t have it any other way. Ian’s radiant smile and glowing optimism has left an act that I’m afraid no one can follow. In fact, his happy-go-lucky nature can be summarized by my experiences with him on a sailboat. It was an extremely windy day (to say the least) and just as we were turning the boat, a roaring, howling wind lifted the boat out of the water, pre-empting the imminent demise of our dry clothing. Naturally, I panicked and worsened the situation. Meanwhile, Ian leaned over the rising side of the boat to act as a counter-balance to the forces of the wind. The boat quickly righted, and he uttered his proverbial catch phrase, “Don’t worry guys, I got this,” coupled with a perfectly timed flip of the hair…
It was then I realized that even the most minute acts of humor and optimism can amount to bright memories that turn into priceless treasures. These treasures that Ian has left us serve as a testament to his loving and giving nature. His spare time over the summers was spent helping those in need as he volunteered at the Riverside Hospital. For the 18 years that I knew Ian, I had never once heard him ask for anything in return for his acts of kindness, nor had I heard him complain. His generous soul can be attributed to his willingness to seek guidance and advice from his mother, father, friends, teachers; and especially the one he idolized the most; his brother…
Ian had a nag for brightening days with so much as a smile and a witty joke that always drew laughter. His calm yet charismatic voice commanded the room. His unparalleled charm has captured the hearts of all who have met him. Needless to say, he did this a little too well. I don’t want to speak for others, but Ian could literally convince me to do anything; including convincing me to happily pay for his McDoubles whenever we stopped at McDonalds.
Ian’s closest friends can attest to his uncanny ability to read body language and emotions. Ian was the best friend, brother, and son that anyone could ask for: he was always there to catch the first tear before it even had a chance to hit the ground…
It is for these reasons that Ian is my ray of sunshine. As the days go by, I will always treasure the memories that my friend that I love has given me. It is said that it takes seven years for rays from the sun to reach our planet… Correct me if I’m wrong, but if Ian was 18 years old, that’s at least 126 years of memories until I have to crack into all of the pictures and videos that he stars in.
I hope that we can all cherish a piece of Ian’s legacy in our hearts. Use it as guidance and solace. Who knows? Maybe those memories will hold us over until we can one day see him again.
Tyler Edwards (far left), 19 years old, is a freshman at Virginia Tech and is majoring in Building Construction. Ian Burgett (blue vest) was 18 years old, graduating from Nansemond Suffolk Academy this month, and was heading to James Madison University this fall.
For Information about East West Partners’ communities, visit www.eastwestcommunities.com. Discover the best in lifestyle communities at Founders Pointe, Eagle Harbor, Liberty Ridge, and The Riverfront at Harbour View. East West Realty Sales Centers are open 7 days a week on-site. Equal Housing Opportunity
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