In memory of a special young fan

Connor Williams, age 11, who passed away December 30, 2012.

The photo above is part of the tribute to Connor at his school.

Poem, written by his father:

A Father's Pride
By Patrick Williams

You were a source of great pride-
A beautiful little boy- both out and inside.
Compassionate & witty, with intelligence to burn.
Coming home and talking with you is something for which I yearn.

For those conversations with you and your nimble mind
Were something that I found extremely divine.
You could morph from being a little kid at play
To talking about the serious issues of the day.

Your gregarious nature and wit made you a perfect cohost
And your presence at parties is among things I will miss most.
Singing, laughing and running the margarita machine,
While talking to folks, exhibiting a brightness so keen.

I was proud when I watched you win the spelling bee,
Spelling "perseverance" quite easily.
I was prouder still by how you treated your opponent.
You ignored the accolades and became his greatest proponent.

For young Jacob looked sad and dejected
And you made sure his feelings were not neglected.
Some victors' tendencies are to taunt and mock,
But, instead, you went to your foe and gave a pep talk.

You indicated that he should not be ashamed
As Mrs. Hall indicated that you both deserved acclaim.
You told him it had been the longest spell off in the history of East School
And that he should be proud and not feel like a fool.

I came home that night and said I was proud of you
For winning the bee but for how you treated Jacob, too.
And you looked at me as if I had grown two heads,
Like doing any different would fill you with dread.

You told me Jacob was your good friend,
And you felt conflicted when the bee came to an end.
For your friend looked dejected and sad,
So you talked to him because you didn't want him to feel bad.

And you got elected to student council last year,
Even though, when you ran, you told me your fears.
You were frightened that you might not get elected,
So I was afraid I would come home to find you dejected.

But I came home to find you happy as a lark,
So happy to succeed that you glowed with an inner spark.
Unlike most ten year olds, you actually had a platform,
But I came to find your real motive was the free popcorn.

And, as always, you got straight "A's"-
That brilliant mind never ceased to amaze.
You helped your sister and looked out for her, the best that you could-
You were a great big brother, that is well understood.

And, this year, you started at Welty Middle School.
You quickly adapted, being nobody's fool.
And, even though you were the youngest in your class,
You stood up to a bully- tactfully letting him know he was a jackass.

He called you nerd and other such names,
And you ignored him, as his efforts were lame,
But, finally, you decided that you'd had enough,
And you weren't going to put up with any more of his guff.

So you looked up at this man-child-three years older and a half foot taller than you,
And you stared up at him with those beautiful baby blues.
You told him that you, indeed, might be a nerd
But that he might want to be seen and not heard.

For, one day, he would be shoveling poop from the sewers you designed,
And, therefore, he might want to be a little more kind.
And, oh, to watch as a fly on the wall,
And see the man-child stammer at the thought of it all.

And, Connor, there are so many other stories
That show your wit, compassion & brilliance- a glimpse of future glory,
But, unfortunately, your life was cut far too short,
And there will be no more stories to report.

And I put your sister to bed each night,
Knowing that things will never again be quite right.
And I think of you and my heart fills with pride,
Then often I cry, as I am wounded inside.

But I always will be proud of the boy you had become-
A brilliant little boy who was compassionate & fun.
And I will forever miss your company,
Until, one day, on the other side, we can again be family.

You can read Connor's story, as told by his father, Patrick, here:

http://bigben7.com/in-memory-of-a-young-fan/

Rate this file (Current rating : 2.5 / 5 with 2 votes)

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File information
Filename:	PatrickWilliams_1.jpg
Album name:	erin / Fan Photos/Fan Stories
Rating (2 votes):
Filesize:	65 KiB
Date added:	Feb 27, 2013
Dimensions:	225 x 246 pixels
Displayed:	807 times
URL:	http://www.bigben7.com/photos/displayimage.php?pid=8211
Favorites:	Add to Favorites

Big Ben 7

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In memory of a special young fan