It all started in Picayune, circa 1985. If you're familiar with the Picayune school system then you know that 4 elementary schools combine into one giant pool of teenagers when everyone reaches 7th grade. It's a hot mess of hormones, nerves and kids trying to create an identity in a completely new environment. Steve was one of the first people that I met that did not attend elementary school with me. I still believe, to this very moment, it was the quickest bond I've ever had with someone that wasn't my own blood.
We both have larger than life personalities but we never tried to overshadow the other. It was as if we just wanted to make the other one laugh. I felt like we were a comedy team doing a bit. There's a movie from the 80's called "When Harry Met Sally". In it, Billy Crystal tells Meg Ryan that men and women can never be friends. I do believe that is true in most cases but Steve and I blew that theory right out of the water. Steve blew that theory up with most of our, still very close knit, group of girlfriends. One thing I distinctly recall was that in junior high, our friend, Lyndy, would invite a group of us to go to the wave pool every summer. Her mom would load up about 6 of us girls and Steve. He was the only guy allowed to go. And before texting was all the craze, we'd do a little thing called talking on the phone. Oh, Sweet Baby Moses, would we talk. Hours and hours and hours...you'd think we were solving the world's problems but I can assure you we weren't. I actually fell asleep on the phone one time we talked so deep into the night. Some of my fondest memories from junior high were the weekends spent with Steve and Michele. If we weren't be dropped off at the mall and abandoned by my ever trusting parents, we were being dropped off at the bowling ally then casually walking down a busy highway with no sidewalks back home. Parents were a lot more lenient then and I firmly believe kids were smarter. I mean, seriously, we made out ok. No harm, no foul.
As we progressed into high school, nothing really changed. We were still goofballs. We still cut up every chance we could. It got to the point in one class that, even after separating us by putting us on opposite sides of the room, our teacher had to ask us to control ourselves because she couldn't handle the class with both of us in it. It's not that we were bad, just hams. Big, giant, Thanksgiving hams. Steve's outgoing, friendly personality made him the most popular guy in school. I can't think of a person that didn't like Steve. His kindness made everyone feel welcome. Combine that with his humor and everyone wanted to be around him.
College separated us geographically but no matter the time spent apart, when we got together is was as if we never missed a day. The years went by and we went on with our lives. Steve married Melissa and they had the oh so handsome, Jace and later came cutie pie, Brendan. Family, working and living life caused communication to be sparse but that's how things go. The good thing about my friend, Steve, was that on the rare occasions that we did talk, we picked up where we left off.
The last time that I spent time with Steve in person was at our 20 year reunion. I was thankful then and even more thankful now that when the "reunion party" was over that a few of us went back to the hotel, had a few beers in the courtyard and talked. That was the most fun part of the night for me, no offense to anyone else. It was a weekend filled with fun, laughs and most of all, friends. Oxford Dictionary defines the word friend as, "a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection." We are so lucky if we come across people special enough that you want to keep them with you for your entire lifetime. Steve was and will always be one of those people.
On November 28, 2012, Melissa messaged me letting me know that Steve just received news that would, inevitably, lead us to this point. My heart sank and I sank to my knees to pray. Since that day, there has not been a day that goes by that Steve has not been on my mind, in my heart and repeated in my prayers. I prayed for his healing, strength for Melissa and comfort for their boys. Melissa has far surpassed what most humans show not only in strength but in a faith in God that does not waiver. I am so thankful that she was by Steve's side during his last years and especially these last weeks and days. Melissa, Jace and Brendan, you have lost the Earthly presence of Steve, but I know your faith is going to get you through the sadness of this loss and deliver you to the happiness that will one day come.
As for my friend, Steve, he took that piece of my heart with him at 8:00 last night and as the light in the world got a little more dim, Heaven brightened like a Broadway stage. The pain of the break hurts but I know that he's taking good care of the part that he has in Heaven. The last time Steve and I spoke and he told me the cancer was back he said, "This disease may take my life but it will not still my joy in the Lord." As my heart aches, it is also comforted by the fact that Steve did have a love for God that could not be shaken. He has left his painful body and is living in a joy that none of us can even imagine. As I went to sleep last night, I even thought that I heard his laugh. And if I know Steve, he was laughing his way through a story that he was telling. Classic Steve. I know I will get Steve's piece of my heart back one day when we meet again. And, Steve, I expect to receive the funniest, most sarcastic greeting one has ever received when I arrive at my final destination.
Nickie, thank you for sharing this. I was so saddened to learn today about Steve's passing. My heartfelt sympathy goes to you as his friend and of course to his family. Rest In Peace, Steve.
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