Eulogy for My Son
by Earl Timmons
(Delaware)
Andrew Ross Timmons (1989 -2012)
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
This is a lesson learned from my son Andrew. Not only did he dance in the rain, he wanted to dance in the rain. Andrew had an exorbitant number of storms during his short life so he knew from experience that another storm was coming on the heels of the one that just passed. If he hadn’t learned to dance; he may have remained dry, but unfulfilled. He was fulfilled.
His brother Max relayed to me just this week that Andrew easily lived two lives in just 23 years. I agree. And more importantly, he enjoyed them both! He had been given the gift to make the most of every day. We have all learned from him.
My son lived his life on his terms. He listened, but did not take advice. He did not conform to social “norms.” But he was not a rebel. He was not rebelling against anything or anyone. He was a free-spirit who lived in the present, and again, on his terms. He was a dreamer. He was a leader. He had followers. He could enter a room and brighten it with his smile, his attitude, or just his presence. He had "it."
I’ve learned over the past week just how strong he was. I’ve learned from him, his brothers, his cousins, and his friends and acquaintances. He made friends so easily and was true to each and every one of them. He supported them, guided them and made them happy. He made me happy.
I stand here today with a broken heart. The loss of a child is something I could have never prepared for. Even during the past week, under insurmountable odds, I refused to prepare myself. I wasn’t ready. I'm still not ready. He had so many dreams and so many plans for the future. He would have made these dreams come true.
He was prepared to fight his disease, but never had a chance to lace up the gloves.* He did not die on his terms. He did not want to leave us. He loved us. He will continue to love us. My son, Andrew Ross Timmons, died a man. He died with the dignity and the respect he deserved. He achieved his goal of making us proud. He achieved his goal of being proud of himself. Our lives will never be the same. He made sure of that.
Andrew, I love you with all my heart; I am profoundly proud of you; you have taught me. I look forward to seeing you again when the time comes. I will continue to be the best dad I can be to your brothers, as you expect. I will continue to seek peace, as you wished. I will not let you down. It’s my turn to make you proud.
Rest in peace; and never, never stop dancing in the rain.
It's all good my son.
*Andrew passed away suddenly from acute leukemia on February 17, 2012