Steph's Wild Ride

I have been fortunate enough to marry into this wonderful family. A family that I think holds true to the most important values that any civilized group can. This is a family that on most Sundays can still be found at the matriarch’s homestead. We in my small family call it Gigi’s, because she is my children’s great grandmother. Others call it gram’s, or even mom’s. This family encompasses four generations, and it is a true delight to be an invited guest, and a member of this clan.

Being a late comer to this family, I didn’t know Stephanie for nearly as long as others have. I do remember thinking from time to time, that kid is something special. I don’t know that I could ever really put my finger on it. At first it was just a twinkle in her eye, a sly grin that would say, yeah, I know exactly what you’re thinking. Maybe it was the uncanny wit that she possessed for someone so young. Or maybe the fact that I don’t think I ever saw her without a smile on her face. She always seemed to look at the world as a place just ripe for the taking. She was well on her way too.

I used to love having conversations with her, because, in spite of her youth, she had a pretty solid grasp on what was important in life, and it is this what I will forever remember about her.

I visited with Steph not long before she left the hospital for the last time. I tried to pull the “lets keep the conversation light” thing for a while. But Steph would only tolerate so much of that. So, after a few family members had left the room, and it was only she and I in the room, she looked at me with that same twinkle in her eye, and sly grin of hers, and she told me that she wasn’t scared of dying. She said that her only fear was for her mother, her father, and her brother and sister. She feared that they weren’t going to be ok after this. She wanted to make sure that they would get the support that they needed, and be able to continue to live a fruitful life.

I think about this conversation every time I think of Stephanie. This is exactly what I couldn’t put my finger on before this moment. She was just special. Here is a 21 year old girl, who had fought her ass off, to beat this cancer. She clearly knew that she was nearing the end of her battle, and she had no concern or fear for herself. Her only concern was for her family, and she hoped that they would be ok.

I learned a lot about life that day, from a 21 year old young lady. I can safely say two things. One, someone did something right with this kid, and I am a better person for having known her.

Craig

If I could speak to Stephanie today, I would tell her about the amazing things that her family is doing in her name. I would tell her that because of her sacrifice, her family is working extremely hard to help other local families deal with the struggle that comes with cancer. I hope that this would help put an end to the only fear I ever saw in Stephanie.

This post was submitted by Craig Vettori.