The McDermott's

We laid sweet Stevie's mortal body to rest on Wednesday after a wonderful funeral service.  Steve would have been so proud of Melissa, James and Thomas for the sweet memories and laughter that were shared with all of Stevie's closest family and friends.  

There were tears of sorrow

but there were more tears of laughter

and that is how he would have wanted it.

The Barclay's played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes as we left the church and also at the cemetery.  Stevie played with John Barclay when they were younger and Mr. Barclay considered it an honor to play for Steve.

Becky released 23 yellow balloons into the air as a tribute to Steve and his love of LiveStrong yellow and the #23 which was his football number (as well as both of his sons).

Thank you so much to the wonderful boys who loved Steve as much as he loved them for being his pallbearers:  Jake Anderson, Armando Chavez, Casey Kiser, TJ Davis, Richard White, Nate Herrscher, Mike Poulsen, and of course, James and Thomas.

Livestrong bands were given to everyone who came so that they could wear the touch of yellow and be reminded of Steve and the mantra he adopted in his courageous fight.  Hopefully, as we continue to wear them and honor Steve we will remember to LIVE STRONG in all areas of life, just as he did.

(The cute people, Brook and Deiter, at Larkin, even put LIVESTRONG and a Drum and Feather on the hearse!  They are so wonderful!)

After the cemetery we had a party in Steve's honor at Le Gardin (thanks to Pixie a.k.a. Mary Ann Hatch and all her hard work and effort) and it was beautiful!

We miss his jokes and smart comments but his humor and good character definitely live on in his children.  They each have his ability to make people laugh with their quick comments and can make friends with anyone and everyone.  Those who came to his viewing as well as the funeral could see how many people loved him and cared for him... even old friends from High School that hadn't seen him for years or his old babysitter... the line was a mile long with people and it was such an incredible tribute to Steve and the incredible person he is. 


My heart aches when I think about how much I will miss him but I find the words I need in my favorite hymn:

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone, sorrow for forgot, 

Love's purest joys restored

When change and tears are past, all safe and blessed

We shall meet at last.

We know this life is a pin prick in the eternities and that we will see him again so soon and until then we know he will be watching over us.