Dear Steven,

Thirty years ago, the LORD blessed me with you. You were a beautiful baby with lots of dark hair and I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. As you grew into toddlerhood, you laughed loudly and played hard. I can never recall you being mean to anyone since you were so tenderhearted from a very young age even towards your siblings. Your heart was as big as your personality! You loved to cuddle and were so affectionate. When you were sick all you wanted to do was to sit on my lap and be rocked. I treasure those sweet memories. You were eager to please us and were a delightful little boy.

As you grew, you didn’t seem to care much about fitting in if it meant compromising your values that came from the LORD. You seemed to have an eternal vision from a young age that you clung to even during the “turbulent” teen years. I was so thankful that such a great looking and talented guy could walk so faithfully with the LORD. You were wise beyond your years and I praise the LORD for His goodness to us.

Whatever you were involved with, you gave 100%. Coaches, teachers, and even the headmaster loved you because of this. You recognized the need for authority in your life and never rebelled against it. All those around you respected you because of this and you were an amazing role model to many of a person who was sold out to Jesus. I am sure you have planted many seeds in all the people who have known you throughout your life. The LORD gifted you with many talents and you have used them for good and for His Kingdom. I love how your favorite Bible verse in high school was “He shall increase and I shall decrease.” It showed what kind of a man you wanted to be. Jesus always before and at the center.

When I was so sick, you were the one who seemed to care the most. (I know your siblings cared a lot but they didn’t seem to know how to express it like you did.) The first time I had to go to the ER and found out I had a brain tumor you came to the hospital every night after a full day of school and sports practice to see me . One night, I was too sick for you to come see me and you felt so badly. Even after my second brain surgery, you came all the way up to USC to see me because you cared. When you were home from college, you’d fix my meals and do anything I asked of you. You have such a generous and servant’s heart to help others.

Now as a young adult, married, with a child and a career, you continue to walk with the LORD. You’ve carried a large load of responsibility on your shoulders ever since you were young but seem to do it with ease. “To whom much is given, much is expected” and you have worn this great responsibility well. I know you have been under a lot of stress throughout your life because of this but you are a born leader and a good one. This world is a much better place because you live in it.

I’m sure that when you one day meet your Savior face-to-face, He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.” There really is no greater joy than to have your children walking in truth. You have brought so much joy to my life and I love you deeply.

Your Mom

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
Proverbs 23:24, 25

Pictures By Brookshiere Creative