What was Stephen Whitehead's legacy to me his Dad? Conveying the special nature of Stephen in words is simply impossible. Literally, I do not have the words to adequately explain how important Stephen is to me. In mortality, Stephen was an authentic person. He was real at all times. He had a special ability to love those whom the rest of the world found difficult to love. Of all the lessons he taught me, and there were many, his special ability to love and look deep within a person leaves an immeasurable impression on my soul. Stephen genuinely cared for every person he ever met, even those who did not treat him well. His ability to see godliness in a person living on the street, his concern over the welfare of others, and his natural love is an empowering energy for me. Now when I see someone who maybe doesn't dress "normal" or who doesn't speak "normal" or who doesn't like the things that are "expected," I take another look and try to peer deeper inside to see who that person really is. Stephen looked on people as the Lord did: "for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Sam 16:7). In the end, Stephen's immortal legacy upon me, his father, is a challenge to look not on outward appearances, but to look upon the heart of my fellow human beings and see the godliness that is.
~Gordon Whitehead
Stephen was always an example to me. There are very few people who I can call a true friend, and Stephen was one of them. I could talk to him about anything without the fear of feeling judged or rejected. Stephen just accepted me the way I was. Being his little brother, Stephen was one of my main role models. Through his example he taught me how to be confident, which helped me to grow into a more authentic person. He also taught me how to care for other people, to put others needs and cares above my own. It is a shame to see such a noble, authentic, and considerate person be trampled upon by the wantonness of those around him. Now that Stephen is gone I feel that he left me a legacy of understanding and a new found purpose to care for others.
~Michael Whitehead