I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid out for me.
I took God's hand when I heard the call;
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me-
God wanted me now, God set me free.

-- Unknown Author

The Light Will Lead Us...

As this day passes, its hard to imagine having lost such a sweet and happy loved one.

This was the day, three years ago, Our Lord chose to invite Our Stephanie to the Kingdom of Heaven. We believe this, as this is our faith. It is still hard to accept that her physical being is gone from our day to day but its wonderful to know her spiritual being will always be. As difficult as it is to not miss her, we have accepted her union with God. We allow her to follow the Light in doing so. This will set her free from worrying about us and help us accept that we Will be reunited in our Spiritual Life someday as it is what has been Promised to us here on earth.

We are truly never separated. When you have a glimpse at a beautifully blooming flower, know she too is viewing it. When we are walking and feeling the light breeze of this autumn day, know she is walking by your side. When you return a smile at a kind face, know she too feels that caring. Love never separates. The Light is Love. Love and you will have the Light forever.

We all continue to love and miss you Steph... keep checking us out. We are getting better at this sweetheart.

Our First Recepient Cristine's Letter to the Family

Christine Rivas

July 9, 2008

Hello Stephanie's Family,

I was re-reading your letter to me and couldn't help to think of Stephanie and I wanted to share something about myself with you. See Stephanie and I have more in common than our love for the fine arts. See I too struggled with a disability that affected everything I did and wanted to do including school. As a young child I struggled with a developmental disability that affected my language development. The struggles were many, but as I look back at my experience I know without them I wouldn't be who I am today.

I am so excited about the upcoming experiences I will soon have in college. I've registered for my fall classes and I am currently working as a lifeguard in lower Manhattan- Dry Dock Pool - E. 10th Street and Avenue D. My mother is working towards making me my own studio apartment in our basement to allow me to experience being on my own - well sort of - as I will really be living safe at home. Considering I am her only child and I too was raise in a single parent household I know my mother is just looking out for me while giving me some freedom to grow. She feels I need a space on my own where I can invite friends over to study or study quietly on my own. When my basement project is complete I will have a living room and my very own office/study room. I plan on displaying Stephanie's Certificate in my study room to always remind me regardless of future life struggles always follow my dreams. In addition, I will have a collage of pictures of people in my life that are important to me, that have encouraged me and supported me - my family and friends, so I do have a request, I was wondering can you email a picture of Stephanie although we never met, I feel considering we have so much in common - we could have been friends.

I once again would like to thank you for this award and wanted to reassure you that I will not give up and will continue to reach for the stars.

Christine