Written June 1
My son was killed in a car crash on Sunday--he was 44--a fantastic father, husband, and community member.
He was a phenomenal guy. The Tributes pouring out to him have been overwhelming. He leaves a wife, three daughters and me, his loving mom. At the funeral parlor for vi sting, the line was out the door, towards the parking lot for 4 solid hours. Hundreds of people who were touched by my son came to pay their respects and today the church was standing room only.
It was a freak rainstorm that caused the crash as he was coming home from his daughter's soccer game. She got out of the hospital yesterday, has a broken ankle and a few bruises but is so positive and loving. The same rainstorm a few miles away also hit my other son and his family on the same road--his car spun around twice, skidded and ended up facing on coming cars. He took his wife and baby home rather than continue on to my son's house. If he hadn't, he most likely would have come onto the scene of the accident.
I knew my son Steve worked with various charities, but I had no idea how many--I don't know how he did that, ran a successful business, was active in the community--they even featured him Monday night on the Nashville evening news---and was a truly good family man to his wife and three daughters..
I am proud of him. I was always proud of him.He was the 3rd of my 6 children and and the first boy.
I remind you to always tell your loved ones how you feel about them. "Love you mom" were the last words he said to me the last time I saw him a few days ago. He put his arm around me, kissed me on the cheek ,and said, 'love you mom'. A nice memory to have. Today I kissed his casket and said "I love you Steve".
Be safe on those roads. And most of all my friends, love and be loved.
Mary
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Comments: 69
Your son was a great blessing, and it sounds like he left a magnificent legacy.
peace.
Lloyd
-Annina
Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking time to commiserate with me. You have no idea how much it means to me.
Blessings and love to each of you for caring and sharing.
Exod. 19:4
I cannot imagine losing a child. I lost my wife one year and one week ago. I still ache from the loss every day. But I know my wife lived life with vigor and worked the charities and political causes that mattered to her. In her 44 years she did more then most people ever accomplish. It sounds like Steve was the same way. We in the community are all thankful for the word of Steve and Cyndi. May they rest in peace and love.
I have no words for you other than I hope the joy of his memory soon exceeds the pain of his loss.
You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
There truly are no words of comfort adequate when a mother loses a son. I can only wish that your pain eases with time, and is replaced by wonderful memories both old and to be made with his family.
My Condolences. I wish you serenity.
-Neil
No words can describe the feeling af grief you are experiencing now. I am so truly touch by the fact that you had the strength to write about the loss of your son and to share that with all of us on Gather. Keep writing, it WILL lift your spirit. My sincere condolences!
Mona/
His spirit is near you. Always.
I am so very sorry for the hole this has left in your family. Fill it with all the love you have. He will visit you, I know, peacefully and often.
Love,
Peg
I thank all of you for taking time to comfort me, for griveing with me, and for making me feel a part of your lives. I will personnaly respond to each of you in the coming days. You have touched me deeply.
Please let me add my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Your son was obviously a wonderful person, and I hope your are able to take some comfort in the fact that he is now somewhere peaceful and wonderful, and you will see him again.
In the meanwhile, all his goodness will undoubtedly live on through his children and family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. As a mother of two small children, I can only imagine the grief you must feel. I looked at my two year old son and my heart nearly burst. I hope to always remember to let my children know as often as possible how much they are loved. Thank you for sharing.
This piece bruised my heart. Yet, I know it can't compare to the pain your family feels.
Never thought someone who I've never met or saw could make me weep, I've learned something new today.
My sympathies to you and your family.
I've always told my parents that it should not be their burden to see me go. They gave me life and by that I owe them at least to be at their side when they leave this world. Reading this reminds me how little control I have in this situation. Thanks for reminding me, I'll be sure to call them and give my 2 year old a big hug.
Cris
My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family for the loss of your son. He sounds like such a wonderful man and I hope the happy memories you have will bring you comfort.
I am a mother to two, 13 and 9. I can't imagine the pain you and your family must be experiencing. Please take care of yourself during this incredibly stressful time. It's so wonderful that your son's last words to you were " I love you." Thanks for the reminder to all of us to do the same. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Your children are lucky to have such a strong mother, you get it - you know life is about how you lived not how you die. Sounds like your son definitely lived and even though you have been shorted on possible years he filled the ones he had.
Bless you.
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
Annie Johnson Hint
You are in my prayers. God grant you peace.
Perhaps it will be a comfort in days to come, when you can come back to your writing and it will be a comfort to you to know so many strangers are thinking of you.
Love embraces you. My prayers remain with you.
There are no proper words at a time like this but please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hold tight to each other, reach out to each other as your son did to so many. He's left a wonderful legacy...love. You have so much to be proud of and it's obvious that you are.
Thank you for sharing this heart wrenching time in your life with us. And I can't tell you how wonderful it made me feel to see your comment about the blue birds. I only wish so many others could believe this way.
Serene Wishes,
Pamela
I lost my son when he was 18 and just getting started on what I expected to be a wonderful path that your Steve was well along on. That has been 18 years ago now. It was a horrible loss and took me years to recover, but I can now look back in the realization that his being as it was, as well as his death, brought forth so many gifts that would have otherwise never been. It is only in retrospect that I can better appreciate all of that...wishing solace and comfort in some sense of understanding but never enough to truly ease your suffering at the moment...he is now in a much better place...and awaiting you there. Peace and Love to you and your family. j.
Steve was called back home and it must be very difficult for you and his wife and children. I do believe that he will continue to look after his children in the same way, and also continue the charity work from the new plane of existence he is.
Keep the light burning Steve, wherever you may be.
Mary, I am really sorry for your loss and wish to be able to help you and lessen the pain.
love and light
You were Mary M. I believe then, when you published this.
Sounds as if your son was a giver who will never be forgotten, no greater gift is there then to know that a person you love has touched so many.
Thank you for sharing this tribute to your son.
So tragic to have lost your son in the prime of his life..............
So sorry for your loss
What a lovely tribute to him. I hope your grand-daughter healed up well... it must have been really hard on her.
A absolutely LOVING tribute!