Nathan Sterling – I remember…
You were born on a wet Sunday afternoon and my eyes were wet but not from the rain but crying with joy at your arrival in the world.
We were in Pizza Hut when you were 3 and you asked the waitress for a drink unprompted.
In your first play, as an angel.
Your first joke when we drove past a cemetery and asked “Dad, how many dead people are in there? I replied I don’t know, you said “All of them” and couldn’t contain yourself that you’d caught me out.
When you got a credit at junior school for reciting 1 to 10 in Spanish from listening to my tapes in the car
Going with you to school because you were being called racist names
Taking you to swimming lessons every week and me sometimes falling asleep at the side of the pool from the heat and boredom!
Spending Saturday mornings at Woolworths to swap Pokemon cards
Having to be your football coach at Queensbury so you could play football because there was no-one else. No more Sunday morning lie ins!
The life lesson at the amusement fair when you begged to go on the first ride at the Leeds Valentine fair and I asked you to look around first and how upset you became when you realised the better rides were at the back and you had no more money.
Taking you to the library every week and Waterstones book store sometimes to get you reading books.
Agreeing a deal, I would always buy you any book you wanted
Singing in the car with your brothers, the chorus of R Kelly’s Ignition
Offering you the choice as a teenager of £20 per month pocket money or for me to pay for your things on an ad hoc basis. You quickly realised the ad hoc was a better deal.
Taking you to see Lord of the Rings and having to leave because the Black Riders scared you when they came on screen at the beginning of the film. I went back on another occasion without you.
Taking you to see Harry Potter and you being a film critic saying it’s nowhere near as good as the book and they’ve missed a large chunk of his upbringing.
Going to Halifax dry ski slope to learn how to ski and you being a competent skier
Car boot lunch picnics at Halifax because we were there all day
Every month, going to Castleford ski slope and every so often Chill Factor to practice skiing on snow
Paying for you to go to Austria on the school ski trip and how proud you were that you were a competent skier and assisted others on the slope
Your disappointment at Christmas when you only got a selection box because that was the agreement for you to be able to go to Canada, you would forego any large presents on your birthday or Christmas. You told me afterwards, it was worth it
Our first Skiing holiday to Bulgaria with your brothers
Our skiing holiday to France and the picture of you and your brothers assuming different poses in the snow. A picture of which I cherish.
You conning me to take you to the school carol service at 16 with your grandma, to find out that you weren’t in it and just wanted a lift!
Taking you to basketball training
You laughing uncontrollably when I was choking on some sweetcorn and it reappeared from my nose!
You introduced me to your first girlfriend
Taking you up to Northumbria University to start your studies
You ringing me up for the chicken pasta recipe to cook for your Uni friends
Pride when you gained your Master’s distinction and being at the ceremony
You asking me to chill if I was annoyed at someone for having a go at you. You’d say “Dad, it’s ok”
They were so many, many more but these are the highlights.
I will always love you son with all of my heart, being and soul.
Rest, my firstborn, beautiful and intelligent boy.
You ‘re forever in my heart Nathan.
My last memory of you was at mums 80th birthday party singing and dancing to the music. How happy you were that night.
Love Auntie Andrea xxx
Reliving the good times on the piste.
Wish you were here son ❤️
My boy practicing his skills!
Matthew always up to something smh
Love you son x
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Hi Nathan,
I have always loved catching up with you and your brothers whether at Nanna’s house for rice and peas on Sundays or Nannas Birthday Parties.
I Remember one day impulsively ringing you as I was on my way to Newcastle. I was like. “Hi Nath. what you up to? do you fancy meeting me as Alex is Playing against Newcastle for Chelsea and it would be great to catch up with you”, We met up and went to the game, spoke with Alex after the game, I remember we were all buzzing cos Alex had scored ,then when Alex went back on the team bus , you and I went for some food after. You were so much fun, we talked about how you loved being in Newcastle studying as well as studying, you were organising Student Parties and all the fun that came with that Uni life. I also remember you giving me advice on how to build and promote my business. I had such a good day. I loved being around you. You had so many wonderful qualities. You made me laugh with your interpretation of University life. I loved how practical and intelligent you were. You remind me of your Dad in so many ways. We all miss you greatly. All the family carry you and your memories forever in our hearts.
My everlasting memory is at Grandma’s 80th, we spent ages talking and dancing it was in this moment I said lets get a picture. I smile to myself every time I see that picture as it captures a moment where as a family we are one,
You were truly loved by us all, Your passing has left a deep hole in our Hearts. I thank your Dad for creating this page and holding a Memorial which is the only way we as your family can express our sadness. Your passing feels like a punishment to us all. Why were we not allowed to pay our final respects to you as a family? You were a very special Brother Son, Nephew, a valued member of our family. We genuinely loved and cared for you. Your memory will always be with us forever.
Thank you for those precious memories .
RIP My Wonderful Nephew till we meet again
God Bless..
Love Always
Uncle Andy
Dedicated to my boy – his favourite try ❤️
I was blessed to have you as a son.
Miss you always x
It has taken me a long time to think what to put on this post regarding our beloved Nathan, as I have never actually met Nathan, but the testimony of Nathan are what stick with me, I remember his grandmother saying how she took Nathan and his brothers to Leeds and Nathan loved the trains, it was said at his grandmother’s Birthday party how he was so happy and dancing with all his cousins. I saw a picture of Nathan and wished I had have got to known him, familly is important, but one thing I know for sure, I have never seen a fathers love for a son such has Paul’s love is for Nathan. May God continue to comfort Paul and the familly, but this is not end we will see our loved ones again.
A core memory of Nathan aka “Bibs”
Almost every year the family would come together at Grandma’s house on Boxing Day to catch up and celebrate Christmas. Us kids would gather in the play room where we’d play video games, chit chat and have a lot of banter. Nathan was given the nickname “Bibs” by Jourdan (his cousin) as the white jumper he wore had large coloured circles on it with one on the neckline looking like a baby bib. With Nathan being an older one of the cousins he took it well and even cracked a few jokes back. He always had this radiant energy about him that lit up the room and we’d all look forward to another family get together where we would be in each other’s company again.
Another fond memory I have of Nathan is from when we were older at a family party. I remember arriving and both our faces lighting up in amazement at how smart and grown up we all looked. The evening was filled with crazy dance moves from Nathan and us younger cousins trying to match him. Nathan was so confident and outgoing that he even challenged his Uncle Chris (My dad) to a dance off (Some would say he won haha!).
Another part to the evening was when us cousins went round the room and labelled ourselves with silly things such as best looking, most sporty etc. Uncle Paul (Nathan’s Dad) jumped in and crowned Nathan the ‘most brainiest’ and we were all in agreement without a doubt. I remember Nathan showing me his work and instagram page and he truly was intelligent and creative. I enjoyed my art and design so that was something we bonded on.
We all had great time that day and Nathan said something that I’ll never forget “this has been so good! We as cousins need to lead the way and make sure we keep family traditions going and stick together. We should try meet up more often even though the distance can be a bit tricky sometimes.” This was right after dancing to “Did you see” by J Hus which was one of the only “young” songs they played. That song and Nathan’s comment will stick with me forever.
Nathan, you will always have a special place in our hearts and we will cherish our memories of you forever. Sleep peacefully big cuz <3
Thanks Rhi for another beautiful memory ❤️
Some of our most treasured memories of Nathan are from when he was younger. The whole family came to stay with us in London and we visited the sights including Madame Tussauds. We had a great time. He was so happy.
Nathan loved going to the soft play centre with his cousins. I remember us all going together and he was giggling so much when he was playing in the ball pit. It was so sweet.
Getting all the cousins together was always crazy but so much fun. Christmas time at Grandmas was always memorable and so exciting for everyone to get together. Nathan was always so kind and easy going. All of our children loved their big cousin and looked up to him.
He was such a special nephew and we will always remember his cheeky smile. What an amazing, clever young man he had grown up to be. Forever in our hearts Nay Nay, we miss you 💙💙💙
Hi son,
Celebrating at Leeds Rhinos…I know you was with me in spirit.
Love always,
Dad x