Thread: In Memory of Tyler James Larson aka Halloweenking

Tweet

In Memory Of

Tyler James Larson

a.k.a. Halloweenking

Something Beautiful Remains

The tide recedes but leaves behind
bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down, but gentle
warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops, and yet it echoes
on in sweet refrains.....
For every joy that passes,
something beautiful remains.

Recently Tyler posted a thread entitled "Before I Die". The thread invites people to list things they would like to accomplish before they die. He was inspired to post this thread by a similar activity from his church youth group. Not long after Tyler posted this thread an article was published in our Sunday paper about a young college professor who is dying from pancreatic cancer. In his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University he shows incredible courage in facing death, much like Tyler did, and addressed the things he wants to tell his children. It is an inspirational article that relates well to the theme of Tyler's post, "Before I Die" and also reflects Tyler's attitude of accepting whatever should come in his future. I have so much respect and admiration for these two young men who have taught me much about living. I hope you will honor Tyler by taking the time to listen to the messages in Professor Pausch's Last Lecture.

A link to the lecture is posted below. The lecture is about an hour and a half long so you will want to set aside some uninterrupted time. It is well worth it.


My Last Lecture | PARADE Magazine


If you don't have time or interest in listening to the whole lecture a summary of the messages Randy Pausch wants to leave for his children (ages 6, 3, and 1 yr old.) follows:

• Always Have Fun: I came to an early realization. Each of must make a decision, best captured in A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh characters. Am I a fun-loving Tigger or a sad-sack Eeyore. I won't let go of the Tigger in me....I could pack a lot of fun into 30 years. If that's not to be, I'll pack fun into the time I have.
  
  
• Dream Big: Give your self permission to dream. Fuel your kid's dreams too. Once in a while, that might even letting them stay up past their bedtime.
  
  
• Ask for What You Want: Ask. More often than you'd suspect, the answer you'll get is, "Sure."
  
  
• Dare To Take a Risk: Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted. And it can be the most valuable thing you have to offer.
  
  
• Look for the Best in Everybody: In the end, people will show you their good side. Just keep waiting. It will come out.
  
  
• Make Time for What Matters: Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think.
  
  
• Let Kids Be Themselves: My wishes for them are very exact and, given that I won't be there, I want to be clear: Kids, don't try to figure out what I wanted you to become. I want you to become what you want to become. And I want you to feel as if I am there with you, whatever path you choose.

I keep looking at his picture there, Madame. Words for your post stay muddled in my head, I'm just too emotional. Thank you for creating this. I will honor Tyler by listening to Professor Pausch.

madame, thanks for this post. it is truly thoughtful. we all benefited from knowing tyler. right now i am to sad and can't read anything from my tears. i will read it in a week or so when i can think clearer.

Madame T,

Thank you for your comforting words. I am sure Tyler's family and friends applicate it very much. He will be missed.

There simply are no words. I don't think I was fully aware of his sickness so I'm totally shocked. He was a very nice young man. I'm terribly saddened by this news and my heart goes out to his family and young girlfriend who have to mourn this great loss.

Madame T, you've beautifully said what I'm sure so many of us couldn't put into words. Thank you for this eloquent post-I will be listening tonight.

Thank you for creating this memorial to Tyler. I will listen to it , right now can not thru my tears. I have been thinking about him all day, and his family and loved ones, if I feel this sad I can not imagine how they feel. I am, like Laurie, muddled, . I can't find the words to how I feel. He was a special young man.

How old was this kid? His picture looks like he was 20!?

There is no justice in this world when youth is taken.

Originally Posted by wilbret

How old was this kid? His picture looks like he was 20!?

There is no justice in this world when youth is taken.

You are right Wilbret. Tyler was only 20!

I'm in complete shock. I looked back at posts, can't believe this. We need more people like Tyler on this planet.