June 7, 2005

Good afternoon everyone.  Thank you all for attending this tribute.  

Today we gather to celebrate life by dedicating this bench and tree to honor Timmy S******.  

It seems like only a short time ago that Timmy spent what would be his last day of school.  He and his classmates went on a field trip that day.  Timmy had a wonderful day at the Museum of Nature and Science doing what he loved the most – learning more about dinosaurs.  And then, just after school, Timmy was tragically taken from us.  Over the past year, we have mourned for our friend Timmy.  The kids and teachers of Wildcat Mountain Elementary School, his family and his friends all miss Timmy.  We miss him terribly.  

But today, I want to tell all of Timmy’s friends to celebrate the life of Timmy.  Live life to the fullest, do your very best in all you do, and work to make this world a better place.  Today we dedicate this tree and this bench -- not with sorrow, but instead with hope.  

A beautiful living tree benefits everyone, not only today, but for generations to come.  Planting a healthy, young tree is a symbol of celebration.  It represents life, hope and growth.  May this tree inspire energy, faith, devotion, and courage, while carrying forward Timmy’s name in a living, vibrant way.

There is one more thing that I ask each of you to do.  I want you to think of some good deed that you can do for someone else.  Then go do it secretly, in Timmy’s name.  I am handing out cards that I want you to use and leave after you do your good deed.  Those who knew Timmy well can remember how he liked his secret little clubs.  If you take one of these cards and do your good deed in secret, you become an official member of the SSSSTS – Secret Society of Stealthy Service in memory of Timmy S******.  
 
We now dedicate this wonderful memorial in Timmy's honor.  This tree will grow up to remind all of us, and generations to come, of the many seeds of friendship that Timmy generously spread.  I hope when you come by to sit and rest on this bench, by this tree, and perhaps to watch a baseball game as Timmy was so fond of playing, you will stop and think a moment about Timmy and his life -- and what he means to us.

Thank you.
Scott S*******