Last Thursday, our sweet Sully went “Into the wild” to find his peace.
He was full of surprises from the beginning – he was Our honeymoon baby, our heart, our little Sully, “cut DA wood” & climb the trees; climb the rocks, and climb over 2 baby gates at a time! In his mind, He could fly. Always the boy inside & out, not afraid to smile or cry, brave and daring to the core. Barefoot and dirty, food falling from his mouth as he talked, sliding down trees head first, always moving, not quite completing anything, driven and eternally in the moment.
Sully is a combination of Jess and I, and, the more I thought of it, our fathers, Dave Burd & John Swift. He loved the outdoors, ice cream sundaes; plain brown fried foods, and ketchup was his only vegetable. He loved bad humor (sometimes inappropriate); he had a big smile and a big laugh; he loved truth, treasured love, and valued realness. He sampled a bit of each of us and made it uniquely “SULLY”.
As I mourn for this great loss, I celebrate the deep yet simple wisdom I learned from my son, about giving of self, genuine love, forgiveness and passion for life.
In Sully’s short 20 years, he taught me volumes about living truthfully. Sullivan was always full of love for everyone he touched, young and old. Lines and barriers all washed away with a smile and a hug. Sully regarded all as friends — his tent was big enough for all to be under. He pretended to be the rough guy; if a friend was wronged, he would say in some fake, hip-hop accent, arm extended, “let’s go rough him up” and then laugh because he saw the humor in it — he couldn’t hurt a flea.
He loved his own compositions and would share them as they were freshly written. He loved loud music; we heard him before we saw him. One Sunday this Spring, as a parade of religious marchers passed our house, Sully blaring some raucous house music, “ just to wake them up”, I heard the escort of the group say, “Oh Yeah, white boys in DA House”
Sully was a gift to us. Let’s not let this tragedy create another tragedy. Let’s take the lessons that Sully taught us by being open and honest, forgiving as we go, and not looking back. THIS is the gift that Sully would give to us.
Always followed by a band of friends, he was never alone and never will be again. Sully is at peace and will be continually loved, kindled by our warm memories of his giving heart.
He is and ever will be, beauty and love. Fly Sully!!! and be at peace.
Glenn Burd's Blog ~ Word Doodles 
We came upon your son’s memorial in the woods on Saturday, and looked him up to find out more. I read your poems and memories here and was touched. My heart goes out to you for his loss. I’m glad I got to learn a little about him through your writing.