Long story long...if you were at the service or watched online or even if you were not, I wanted to share a couple photos and why they have meaning to me and bring me comfort. That photo that ended the slide show was taken the day before Steph passed. We were heading to the camp and I saw a sign about a covered bridge. I have always wanted to see one so we stopped for a quick look. We explored (took a wrong trail) a little on the way to the bridge. We were there alone in nature where Steph was always at her happiest. When we got to the bridge, I stopped to read a sign with the information. Steph started to walk down the bridge to the other end with the boys. My not always appropriate humor brain wanted to yell out, “don’t go towards the light” but resisted. So, I stood there at one end of the bridge watching Steph and the boys have a moment at the other end. Here is the photo that Steph was taking while she was with the boys at the other end. The photos were taken within seconds of each other. I am not a huge person who sees symbolism or signs but this one has me thinking. I am not sure what that moment looked like for Steph as she left this world but maybe she did walk towards the light? Steph cared so much for people that all of the garbage of this world weighed on her heart so much. In a way that dark, covered bridge covered with the graffiti represents part of her journey. That bright light in God’s beautiful creation was at the other end. I continually ask why, why now, why her but I see the photo of her with the boys and it brings me comfort. She will always be a part of their lives. The teaching, loving, caring, and time she devoted to them has formed so much of who the boys are and that will never go away. She walked through life with them and did her best to keep them from the dark, graffiti parts of this world. What I do know and brings me comfort is that she is at peace and at rest and is on that other side of the bridge enjoying what she whole heartedly believed as a follower of God was waiting for her.

One of the many wonderful qualities Steph has is that she makes you feel like the only and most important person in the world when you're with her. Be it a big issue or small, you have her undivided attention, love and support. She has been an amazing source of strength when going through traumatic times; full of grace and understanding. Just to get a message that she's thinking about me makes me feel a little stronger. I am a better person for knowing her and being loved by her and loving her.