In Memory of Stephen Franklin Lott jr. Sept 3, 2005 - Jan 12, 2005
I have thought long and hard about what to say about the loss of Stephen, I have realized nothing I say will be able to ease the grief. I know, because there is nothing anyone can say to me that can fill the void in my heart. Stephen was my pledge brother. In the short time I knew him I never saw him sad or depressed. He always had a smile on his face and was one of my best friends, he was my brother, and a Gentleman of the Kappa Alpha Order. That is the way I will always remember him.
Stephens Constant glow brightened even the gloomiest of days. He did not let his disabilities hinder the way he lived. He never complained about the work we had to do for pledgeship, even though he had an excuse. He had more courage than I will possess in a lifetime.
I was hesitant to meet Stephen at first because I knew he was different. I felt somewhat sorry for him. But he the way he carried himself astonished me. He acted as if he was in perfectly normal. It didn’t take me long to realize that he was. Before to long I realized that I didnt need to feel sorry for him, He mad the best of every situation, even if it ment bending the rules just a little. So what if he knocked in a few pool balls when i wasnt looking, or didnt tell me the controls for NCAA 2005, his favorite game. These were his "crip advantages." He could do everything that I could, sometimes better. His domineer and charisma made him the most likeable guy I have ever met. Wednesday I had 4 people call me and express there condolences. Four people I had no idea were friends of Stephen.
I can confidently say the Stephen was one of, if not the most liked man on campus. The only thing that shocked me more than his courage was his love for others. Stephen was a brother to me in every since of the word. He completely grasped the concept of brotherhood. If I ever needed the slightest thing I knew that all I had to do was call and, if need be, Stephen would drop everything he was doing to help me. He could also expect the same from me. He had an unconditional heart for everyone he met.
His courage and spirit were only surpassed by his since of humor. I never saw Stephen without a smile. Every time screwed up I could always expect a light hearted crack from Stephen. He always had the rignt joke. He could lighten any situation. I will never be able to forget his goofy grin and contagious laugh. If I had one regret about being around Stephen it would be that I was not around him enough. "Life is too brief. I had a friend whom I intended to know better. Yesterday he died." -- David Grayson (1890-1990). In living he showed me how to overcome, in dying he showed me how to live.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
This is the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi. In times of doubt and despair it helps me put things into perspective.
Stephens Constant glow brightened even the gloomiest of days. He did not let his disabilities hinder the way he lived. He never complained about the work we had to do for pledgeship, even though he had an excuse. He had more courage than I will possess in a lifetime.
I was hesitant to meet Stephen at first because I knew he was different. I felt somewhat sorry for him. But he the way he carried himself astonished me. He acted as if he was in perfectly normal. It didn’t take me long to realize that he was. Before to long I realized that I didnt need to feel sorry for him, He mad the best of every situation, even if it ment bending the rules just a little. So what if he knocked in a few pool balls when i wasnt looking, or didnt tell me the controls for NCAA 2005, his favorite game. These were his "crip advantages." He could do everything that I could, sometimes better. His domineer and charisma made him the most likeable guy I have ever met. Wednesday I had 4 people call me and express there condolences. Four people I had no idea were friends of Stephen.
I can confidently say the Stephen was one of, if not the most liked man on campus. The only thing that shocked me more than his courage was his love for others. Stephen was a brother to me in every since of the word. He completely grasped the concept of brotherhood. If I ever needed the slightest thing I knew that all I had to do was call and, if need be, Stephen would drop everything he was doing to help me. He could also expect the same from me. He had an unconditional heart for everyone he met.
His courage and spirit were only surpassed by his since of humor. I never saw Stephen without a smile. Every time screwed up I could always expect a light hearted crack from Stephen. He always had the rignt joke. He could lighten any situation. I will never be able to forget his goofy grin and contagious laugh. If I had one regret about being around Stephen it would be that I was not around him enough. "Life is too brief. I had a friend whom I intended to know better. Yesterday he died." -- David Grayson (1890-1990). In living he showed me how to overcome, in dying he showed me how to live.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
This is the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi. In times of doubt and despair it helps me put things into perspective.