Tuesday, January 28, 2014
To our beloved son Sean Michael Conklin,
Bidding farewell to our son Sean is the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. Words cannot describe the sorrow and loss that I am feeling, but I will try. Sean was a wonderful person. Even as a small child, he had a calm temperament and as he grew into a young man, he always took things in stride. It was the simple things in life that he enjoyed the most. Fishing, hiking, and playing video games were among his favorite things to do, but most of all, he enjoyed being with his friends. He always was a quick learner. When he was a baby, he caught a football the first time it was tossed to him. At four years old, he caught a rainbow trout the first time he ever casted a line into the water. He could read 100 pages of a book in one sitting, and then demonstrate his amazing photographic memory. He always made friends the first time he met any new school mate or work colleague. Without trying at all, Sean always found a way to touch the lives of those around him. He could enter a room and brighten it with his smile, his attitude, his energy, or just his presence. He always took care to ensure everyone else was ok, before worrying about himself.
It was no surprise that Sean decided Engineering was not his path of choice after spending his first year of college studying computer engineering at the University of Kentucky. It was all about numbers and codes, but not about people. Even though he had phenomenal math and computer skills, he came to realize that he wanted to work with people; either teaching, or managing and developing people. It always made him happy when he was able to help someone to become better, or overcome a problem.
When he moved from Kentucky to Arizona, it crushed him to leave the friends he cared for so much. Shortly after moving to Phoenix, he decided to work at the neighborhood Wal-mart store while studying business management. Developing relationships with his colleagues at Wal-mart helped to motivate Sean and get him back in the game. Sean enjoyed working with difficult customers. He loved to come home to tell a story about a difficult customer and end the story by saying, "So I killed them with kindness."
While at work, by the grace of God, Sean met a wonderful young lady, Holly Rourke who, much like him, seemed to care more about others than herself. They were such a good match. They were always so energized and excited, just from being together. I will always love her, like my very own, for the positive impact she made to Sean's life. He listened to her advice more than any other. Somehow they were always on the same wavelength. She meant the world to him.
My beloved son Sean was the greatest teacher of my life. Through his examples, he taught me to be patient and sensitive of the weaknesses of others, and to help them become their best. He taught me the ideal of "love your friend more than you love yourself". His smile was always the compass that guided me. And now he has left us. He was so young, only twenty years old.
May you rest in peace my beloved son. You are a special spirit. I will never stop longing for one more smile, for one more hug, to hear you say just one more time…….. "I love you a whole bunch dad". I will miss all the wonderful things you brought to my life. These are the things that make it so painful to see you go, but they are also the things that have made me a stronger person and so very proud to have you as my son. The world is a lesser place without you, but a better place for the time that we were all blessed with your presence. I will miss you so much my beloved son, until the time when we are together again.
With all my love forever,
Your Dad,
David Michael Conklin
