Rest in Peace, Drew Michael Williams

http://newsatnorman.com/clients/newsatnorman/index1.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

A very, very good family friend passed away Monday afternoon from drowning in his families pool ... he was only 3 years old, so very close to four. Now, I haven't been as close to the family lately as I once way, but these people are partly my second family and it's so hard to believe their youngest child has passed away.

Drew was a spunky little boy who absolutely loved life. I remember before he was born when their 7 year old daughter, Sarah, was just an infant. I'd babysit her every Saturday night for a few hours while her parents had date night. Then in 2006 when Drew was born (I was 15), I got to go visit them & see this precious little baby boy and his excited parents in all their glory. I remember a few times where my mom would take Sarah for a weekend, but I especially remember the time we took Drew too. We all went to Pizza Hut for dinner and he did not want to be there at all. He'd get really loud and start crying or getting antsy and make a scene. But when I left my seat and went over to him, he immediately calmed down.

Drew and I had a special bond for such a young little boy. His parents took me to the beach for a week the summer before my senior year of high school. I was there to have a good time and to babysit the kids. Now, I was mostly there for Sarah, and also to watch the kids at night time when the adults wanted to go out, but my favorite memories from that beach trip were when we would be eating breakfast and Drew would walk over to the living room area , plop down on me, and squirm around until I turned Rachael Ray on the tv. I absolutely love Rachael Ray, so whenever we had some down time I'd turn her on . Drew would just sit there on my lap or next to me on the couch and he'd watch, silently and so very well behaved. Whenever I'd be there to watch Drew and change his diapers, he would never leave me a grossly dirty diaper to change... it was never more than pee with him unless one of his parents were changing it. I thanked him every night for that, hahaha.

Drew wasn't always the most well behaved child. He loved to explore things, run around, and wasn't necessarily always the best listener, but he sure did make you laugh and smile when you saw him.
When Silly-Pa (his grandfather) was sick in the hospital, I went to their house that night to help babysit so Sarah & Drew's parents could be at the hospital. We would run around in the backyard, play in their families play room, and he'd only let me feed him dinner that night .. my mom had absolutely no luck with him.

Although I've seen him a lot less over the past year with my busy work and school schedule, I will always remember how cute and curly is hair was back then and how much of a precious young man he was starting to become. I can't even imagine what it's like to lose a child or a sibling, seeing as my older sister passed away before I was even born .. I am at a loss of words because losing a child or a sibling or a parent .. that's the worst kind of pain to be felt. My heart goes out to his family. Tara loved her children more than even imaginable and Scott was a FANTASTIC father, and both Tara & Scott will continue being the best parents and the best people they can be. Drew's death was an accident. A tragic accident. Nobody is to blame. I love Tara & Scott as if they were truly my family. Sarah is the most precious, outgoing little girl I've ever met. They're going to be going through a rough time, but it will get easier and they will live their lives cherishing their memories, cherishing the times to come, and they will get through this because they are all strong, amazing people.

Rest in peace, Drew Michael Williams. I love you, hunny bun. Stay strong, Williams family. You guys know that myself and the rest of my family are here any time we're needed!! You guys are in my heart and prayers.

I love you drewy :/