Cemetery Marker
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EXCERPTS FROM THE CEMETERY MEMORY BOOK
In August 2001 Steve's mom placed a special photo scrapbook
at his gravesite at St. Michael's cemetery in the Town of Mitchell, Wisconsin.
It was on the occasion of what would
have been Steve's 19th birthday on August 2, 2001. In the time since
then many visitors have written in this special book. Below are excerpts from
some of the entries:
9/27/01
…I’m proud of…all the great things you did in your
short but unforgettable life. You were one of the best artists I’d ever seen.
All your friends really love and miss you…
9/13/02
…Remember “ok like whatever like ok.” You thought
that was the funniest thing. I’ll never forget that…You always told me the
truth even if you thought it would hurt or offend me. You said what was on your
mind…
9/29/01
…I loved the times we hung out together. I love you.
9/29/01
…I wish you could’ve stayed longer, well – we all do.
But we will always remember you. Just by the little things you did – we’ll
remember. You always put a smile on our faces when we were sad – to cheer us
up and we thank you for that…
9/27/02
…There’s little comfort to be given when you are missed
so much today; the hurt is as raw as it was two years ago today…
9/27/02
…not one day goes by without me thinking of you…I have
done numerous things with you, all of which brought me joy, and none of which I
will forget…
2001
Steve – Many people say that time heals everything. In
this case I find that statement false. I will never be totally healed by your
death. I love you and I miss you.
9/01
…I still don’t want to accept the fact that you’re
gone…You will always have a positive effect on me when I think of you. Well, I
still love ya’ and even though you’re not here in person you will always be
in everyone’s heart.
9/27/01
…Since you left it’s been so hard. I know you’re
still with us but it’s never going to be the same and I’m not going to ever
be the same…I love you man and miss you more and more with each passing day.
2001
I will always remember you for everything. I don’t think
I will ever not miss you. We were friends for about a year and I don’t feel
I’ve ever had any better…I can’t think of a day that has gone by that I
haven’t thought of you, your wonderful smile, and how happy I always was just
to see you and be around you. You were always there for me when I got screwed
over by some girl and I tried to be there for you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there
during your final time of despair…I’ll always love you…
9/02
I’ve had two years to reflect on losing one of the best
friends I will ever have…You left our world two years ago because of all of
the horrible things surrounding your life. Now I see that you didn’t give
yourself enough time to see all of the wonderful things this world could have. I
think that this could be a message to everyone you left to look past all of the
petty bullshit that surrounds us. I think you know now that your life and death
meant a lot to a lot of people. All of the things you could’ve given in your
life can be achieved by us. Maybe not the same goals, but we can be happy.
I’ll always know what you meant to me…
2001
Steve - I was just getting to know you! You sat behind me
in class and said things like, “Look! A yellow ape is on your head!” You
always made me laugh. Then, that desk behind me was empty…
9/27/01
…you were one of the sweetest guys I know and one of the
funniest people too. I will never forget you.
9/27/01
…You were always caring, kind, lovable, and never cared
about what people thought. I wish I could have taken away all of your pain…
9/02
…how special of a person you were, and you will always
leave a great impression on all of those who did know you. You were one of a
kind…
9/01
…It’s been a long year without you. People always say
that life goes on, but it sure as hell isn’t the same…
5/7/02
Steve – It’s been so long, yet such a short time. Each
day passes, and I think of you very often…
9/27/02
…2 years! This has seemed like forever. Things haven’t
been the same. Everyone seems very lost. No one really knows what is going on…
9/27/01
Steve – As I sit here and think about the times we shared
I can’t help to smile. Life hasn’t been the same for any of us…I miss you
so much and you will always be a part of me and my life. I love you.
9/27/01
…I know you’re in many things that I see in life right
now. It all started the day after you left. You were there, I saw you…we were
all sitting outside thinking of you and a monarch butterfly was flying around
all of us…When I see you in heaven, give me one reason why I shouldn’t walk
through that door. You know what I’m saying.
9/02
I fear sometimes it was a product of my mind but I saw your
face last night. I touched it. I heard your laugh. I made you laugh. I was so
comforted by your presence and I still am comforted by the way I feel when I am
with you, even if it is only in dreams right now…
8/01
Hey Steve! Every time I come out here I can’t help but
think about how unfair this all is…you’re watching over me – and all of us
all the time and that helps…I miss you more than you could ever know…I love
you Steve.
9/6/01
What a blessing this book is to celebrate the life of one
who lived such a short life on this planet, and yet touched many many lives…
