Stefan my Son - in 4 days time I will be in India with our 75yo neighbour Joan. 

I know the Ganges River (Varanasi) will hold spiritual significance as I remember your last weeks @ Peter Mc Hospital. In your religious quest you were considering the Hindu religion & spent many days discussing this with our Indian friend Darryl. The female Dr came in & told him to go - you defiantly answered "he's not going anywhere, he's staying - he's my Guru!"

Happy 27th Birthday xx 

Missing you and loving you -  and always I carry your Spirit with me in my travels xx ( Mum - Wendy)

Im finding it difficult to believe that 7yrs have passed now since I last saw you. Im missing your laughter, your smile and your enthusiasm for life! But your cats Bagel & Kitty and your dog Iffel are still alive!! So I remember what you said "Mum, take comfort in my pets, as my Spirit will be in them"

Stefan, my beautiful Son - I celebrated your Birthday today in Vietnam. I shared a Sampan with Deb down the river in Nimh Binh (Wisdom & Peace) - which was so reminiscent as you, being a Pisces, loved being near water! Then in the evening, Daniel (our 30yo Vietnamese Tour Leader) bought u a cake in your favourite colour yellow & with fellow travellers in Hanoi, we sang Happy Birthday and I blew out your candles. 

It was a lovely way to remember you & celebrate your Day xx

My darling Son, so hard  to believe that 6yrs has passed already since I last heard your voice or your laughter! Time has not healed the loss but I am living my life as you told me to.

I am in Bali today and I have a lovely room overlooking the swimming pool. You loved the water so of course you are here with me. And just now there are fireworks. Wow!!

Stefan, today would have been your 25th birthday. I remember you attending my birthday parties, running around enjoying yourself. You would be proud of your Mum, she is going on holidays, going to places you would have loved, you are there in spirit with her. I am still there for your Mum when she needs me. Love Kaylene. ❤

10 years ago in 2007 you were in Year 9. You chose to do an Assigment on Donald Trump! You turned to me and said "Mum, you do know that Donald Trump will be President one day?"

Well that prediction has now come true and Donald Trump is being Inaugurated as the 45th President today - on your 5 year anniversary!!  

                               An Angel in the Book of Life
                                wrote down my Son's Birth
                       And whispered as she closed the Book
                                 "Too Beautiful for Earth" 

Through the beautiful Blessed Pure
Inspirational Soul of your son Stefan,
so too have you Wendy
been blessed to be an Inspirational
being to so many-
and continue to be so.

Bless you Both !

Lindy x 

Three years have long gone past
Since we last heard that distinctive laugh
But your presence and your aura are here with us now
Your mother Wendy has made that her everlasting vow
She reminds us of your beauty, love of life and insights you had
Always seeing the good within people, never the bad 

You were a gentle giant with a tender, loving touch 
All who had the pleasure to meet you, miss you oh so much
You were so special in your own unique way
And you had so many visions to share each day
You saw life in a special way...and shared it with those who crossed your path
We will always remember your words of wisdom and that infectious laugh  

We pray that you will guide us all, on our journey here on this earth
Just like your mother Wendy did, from the day of your birth
Give us the strength to conquest our battles we face everday 
Support your mother as she continues without you along her way
We hope that you have found that inner peace within your soul
And with your help Stefan, each and everyone of us will hopefully find our goal.

Thanks for your friendship Stefan
Always in our hearts

Arna & Wolfgang             

     

            

     

   

When I wake up in the morning, I ASK myself "How will I get through the day Without You"
As I dress and prepare to start my day, I WONDER "How will I go on Without You" 
As the day slowly slips away, I  REMEMBER  how you made me LAUGH and I SMILE Without You
At the end of the day, as I prepare to close my eyes, I KNOW in my HEART I couldnt have gotten through the day WITHOUT YOU. 

Remember the time in primary school, and you lent me your crayon and I accidently broke it?

I thought you'd kill me…

But you didn't; you just kept on laughing as I was trying to fix it with sticky tape that I stole from miss Francis! And the look on her face when she figured out her sticky tape was missing was amazing. Remember?! J

Remember the time when we were playing hide and seek at school and I forgot to tell you that the bell went and you were sitting near the music room for an hour until I finally realised you weren’t in class?

I thought you’d hate me because I left you all alone…

But you didn't; you just strolled into class and sat next to me and we started making fun of a particular teacher’s lisp (NO NAMES!) [Stop laughing up there in the clouds Stef, I can hear you!!) J

Remember when we grew up into young adults and we would start debating something, and of course your explanation and reasoning would be logical and mine were irrational words put together for dramatic effect to win the battle?

I thought you'd get sick of me…

But you didn't; you just take a deep breath and give me this look like get your act together and then we both start laughing. You accepted me for who I was, how I think and speak my mind like a crazy person and you would always give me advice that always and still does to this day help me in my everyday life.

There were plenty of things that you put up with me, but that is what friends are for; we accepted each other and we always knew what to say to each other even from a young age. From primary I felt a need to protect you as I thought of you as my little brother with this enormous heart to just loves to play and have fun. There are so many things I want to tell you, but I can’t. I just want to come over and see you, but I can’t. I want you to see me when I finally get married and have kids, but you won’t. I want to see you do the same, but you won’t. I asked you before you passed, under your veranda outside, how can you have faith and be so calm when it is not fair what is happening to you? I thought I had said to much and that I had angered you so much that I crushed you with my big mouth and that you wanted to actually kill me… but you didn’t, you just smiled and had a tear come down your face and said its okay.

You strong and gifted boy, God or whoever is up there took you away too soon and was definitely jealous that we had you down here before you were a blessing to all you have met.

Always thinking of you,

D

xx

Stefan, Happy 22nd Birthday! I can't believe another year has rolled around. Today at school we had a discussion abut Hitler (which always makes me think of you) and a pigeon came to visit the kids!! Missing and thinking of you Stefan. 
P.S. I found this poem for your Mum, Wendy Birdjan. XXX

A Picture Of You
© Deborah Robinson
I only have a picture now,
A frozen piece of time,
To remind me of how it was,
When you were here, and mine.

I see your smiling eyes,
Each morning when I wake,
I talk to you, and place a kiss,
Upon your lovely face. 

How much I miss you being here,
I really can not say,
The ache is deep inside my heart,
And never goes away.

I hear it mentioned often,
That time will heal the pain,
But if I'm being honest,
I hope it will remain.

I need to feel you constantly,
To get me through the day,
I loved you so very much,
Why did you go away?

The angels came and took you,
That really wasn't fair,
They took my one and only Son,
My future life. My heir.

If only they had asked me,
If I would take your place,
I would have done so willingly,
Leaving you this world to grace.

You should have had so many years,
To watch your life unfold,
And in the mist of this,
Watch me, your Mum grow old!

I hope your watching from above,
At the daily tasks I do,
And let there be no doubt at all,
I really do love you.

Source: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/my--year-old-son-collapsed-and-died-a-picture-of-you#ixzz2vAPBdXdB

 
Family Friend Poems

Sometimes God picks a flower that's still in full bloom. Sometimes the flower that is chosen, we feel He's picked too soon.We're at peace knowing; in God's heavenly garden, He has placed the ones we treasure.You have changed our lives forever.

When we clse our eyes we can see you, When we whisper your name we can hear you, And when we reach with our hearts we can touch you. 


rest in peace sweet angel


Spiro Papadopoulos      

Dear Stefan,  as Michael sings you were 'Like a comet blazing 'cross the evening sky - Gone too soon!" This is my entry in your written Memorial book.

From Hitler to scary clowns, our conversations led us through many topics. I only knew you for 60 days but it seemed as though I have known you forever!  

I am only sorry that I had not met you early in your short life. Thanks Stefan for your friendship and for allowing me to be alongside you on your battlefield!

Love, Moira XXX

Stefan,  I have just read back through the book and I see most people have written on the right hand side pages.   It made me laugh to see that I had started on the left. .... "the left". Your radical views made me laugh - after I had recovered from the shock!

Love Moira XXX

"Like a sunset dying with the rising of the moon - gone too soon, Gone Too Soon".

Sleep tight beautiful boy! XXX 

"Love is energy.
 His love was louder than words
 and our connection was very deep.
 He is love. I feel it everyday"

"I LOVE HIM FOR THE PERFECT LITTLE SPIRIT HE IS"

20 years of shared memories - gone
20 years of planning for your future - vanished like a mist

      Those hours of laughter and play
      Happy times splashing in a bubble bath
      The sand that you moulded into castles
      The toys that became your friends

Meerkats staring at you at the zoo
Monkeys happy in a tree
(Do you see me - I cant see you)
Only in my dreams where you are free
No longer prisoner of this disease

     What do I grieve for?
     The 20 years that pass my mind in a haze
     The lost future that will never be
     Maps on your wall of places yet to see
     The Cancer that took you away from me

Do I cry for the boy who was to be a man
Or do I cling to the vision of a child who will remain "forever young"

This is all you - your journey - MY SON

 

It's hard to know just what to say,
When one so young is taken away.
Far too soon he had to part,
His memory forever engraved in our heart.

We only knew him for a short while,
But the life he led made us smile.
He was so beautiful and oh so rare,
Life as they say just isn't fair.

Those gone before him will watch him with care,
Till the day comes when we'll all join him there.

Know Stefan is watching from heaven above,
And with each ray of sunshine, he's sending his love.

Love Always Narelle xxxxxx

They say, it takes only one second to love someone special
Only one mintue to appreciate our children, 
and only seconds to love our children from the day each were born .Those smile, the sound the smell and our little bundle of joy in our hot warm hands what a miracle.

Should we smile? Or should we cry?
That will be the question until the day we die
Should we remember or try to forget?

Do you see what I see?
'Way up in the sky little child
Do you see what I see?

A star a star
the light coming through those clouds 

Said the little child 
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing thru the sky 
Do you hear what I hear?

A song a song
High above the mountains

A Child a Child
Shivers in the cold

The Child the Child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light

RIP xxx Angel your very missed you have left a mark in everyone's heart forever xxx

What a champion. Stefan Kostraby. Honest, interesting, cheeky, curious and unforgettable. I remember many fascinating and hilarious conversations with Stefan and his mum Wendy, and sometimes his dog 'Iffle' would attend.

Stefan had charisma. He was a cool guy. When he walked in the room you know you were going to have fun and that you could pretty much say whatever you wanted and he would roll with it and say something funny in response. I always felt a sense of freedom when spending time with Stefan. He was also happy to challenge your opinons and offer new insights. He and Wendy were a force. They shared the kind of relationships most parents aspire to. Unconditional acceptance and the best of friends.

Despite his imposing height, Stefan was a kind and gentle soul who would always prefer to laugh it off than get upset.

Anyone who knew Stefan could never forget his general presence. He was just that kind of bloke. He had a few challenges in his life and surprised everyone with the extent of his intelligence and people skills. He broke all the rules socially and despite this was loved and admired by all. Few of us could hope to achieve this. I guess that's what charisma is.

It's hard to believe you are gone Stefan; you were so full of life and energy. But like everyone else who knoew you, it's easy for me to picture your face and remember your voice and personality.

I hope you are having a great time up there; wherever you are. I'm sure you are keeping everyone honest and making everyone laugh. Rest in peace mate.

Glenn Chuck

GOD'S gift to us is Stefan, his frail body has passed away but his resolve, strength of mind, honesty and innocence of thoughts, purity of soul as well as his spirit remain with-in us all. Meeting Stefan for the first time was an experience, I must say: he told me that my given name didn't suit me and it was unkind for me to have to endure an inappropriate Christian name. After a lengthy quiet reflection, he decided to rename me Bert! My first thoughts, were a tad confused but then I told Stefan that my middle name is Albert!! Without blinking, he said "ok, done, now fetch the pee bottle for me Bert". Needless to say we hit it off instantly and we quickly developed a rapport and friendship that I never had with anyone of his age. Some may have deemed him brutally blunt but I found Stefan to the point and refreshing. To say that Stefan was wise beyond his years, was an understatement. He would talk about any subject that I'd care to mention and offer solutions to the woes of the world. One night whilst his mum was, as he'd call it "doing the Wendy thing" he whispered to me "Will you look after my mum, Bert? You know when Im gone from. this world?" I replied "Yes of course". Which he asked me to promise (he knew I was old school; therefore keeping my word was my bond). Perhaps he found comfort in that but I cant say for sure. Although I do know he liked old stuff too. He had an uncanny gut feeling about people and had no reservations in expressing his opinion as such. Always telling Wendy how much he loves her and wants her to be happy in the future, was normal for Stefan. It became increasingly hurtful for me to support him, in the knowledge of the extreme debilitating pain he was suffering. I give thanks to God for Stefan's being; peace and LEGACY of LOVE. Bert - Support Worker