Sean Robert

He, so very appropriately, came home with me on Mother’s Day. I knew from a very early age that Sean was very special, that he was an “old soul.” Even as a young boy, he had tremendous wisdom and compassion. I called him my little hippie because he looked forward to the day when he could start driving, get his own van, and decorate it with shag rugs, beads and musical knick knacks. He told me he would need it to drive his band to all of their gigs.

I have so many beautiful memories of this boy who was growing into an extraordinary young man. This past year at High Tech High, I saw him blossoming and coming into his own. He has a very strong self-identity and is very comfortable in his own skin. He has an incredible sense of humor and wit. When he was in grade school, on sharing day, he would always bring a joke book to read to the class. Most of the kids wouldn’t get the jokes, but he always did and he wanted to share that laughter and humor with his friends. He has been like that throughout his life. He loved to show me and Kyle video clips of comedians and other things that he found funny and we would all laugh and laugh until tears came down our faces and our stomachs would hurt.

Many of you know that Sean is a very accomplished musician and that he is extremely passionate about guitar. He loves all kinds of music from all different eras. I was so amazed and pleased to actually see him sing karaoke for the first time a few weeks ago – he sang the Final Countdown, of all things. But the most powerful sense I have of Sean is his tenderness. I can tell you this story because I know that even as a 15 year old boy, he will not be embarrassed by it. At night when I would go into his room to say good night, I would kiss him, tell him I love him and start to leave his room. As he laid there in his bed, he would reach his arms out to me and say, “Mama,” then pat his bed as the signal for me to come and lay down with him. So I would always take that opportunity no matter how late it was or how tired I was. He would open his arms and I would lay my head down on his shoulder and he would hold me close to him. I could hear his heartbeat so strong and steady. Then, with his free hand, he would pick up his remote control for his cd player and switch it on. We would lay there together and listen to John Lennon singing Imagine and we would both softly sing along. Then when the song ended, we would hug tightly, kiss and say goodnight, and then he would be ready to go to sleep.

This is my tribute to you, Sean, my wise and compassionate old soul.