Today We Laid Our Sweet Warrior to Rest

Saying goodbye … never an easy thing to do.  Today was the day that we held Steven’s services and celebrated his life.  But saying goodbye?  No … I don’ t believe in that.  I know better.  I know that those who have to leave us live on in our hearts, and we don’t have to say goodbye … they are still with us in a different way, and we will see them again.  Someday.

We gathered at the Bristow Freeland Center in Bristow, OK, the same place where his benefit concert was held not long ago – so we filled an entire concert hall with wonderful people who all came to show their love for Steven!  Many people wore red in his honor, since it was his favorite color.  Red Team Steven bracelets were donned by many, and gorgeous floral arrangements surrounded his beautiful red casket on the stage.  Pictures of Steven from the time he was a baby through his 18th year played on the screen before us, and we all got to see him once more as he grew from a boy into a man while the music played.  One slideshow ended with Bad English’s “When I See You Smile.”  Steven always had the most beautiful smile, and that is the smile that shines on in our hearts. 

I sat directly behind Steven’s dad, Steve, his mom, Denise, and my brother, Jeff – Denise’s husband/Steven’s stepdad.  There was a moment where Jeff put his arm around Denise’s shoulder and pulled her closer to him as she cried, and he then reached his hand over and squeezed Steve’s shoulder.  My tears started anew as I reflected on their journey together, and how tough this has been on everyone.  This is not the way we wanted things to end, but in realizing it’s how things had to play out, there was some comfort in the fact that he lived longer than was supposed to be possible.  Steven’s will to live inspired many and gave his family a chance to spend some important time with their son:  10 more beautiful weeks.  He turned 18 and became a man.  He had one last Mother’s Day with his mom.  He got to spend time with his beloved relatives.  He was surrounded by loved ones when he peacefully left this Earth.  Steven was incredible.  He was a miracle.  He brought families closer together in love.  Our families.  Hopefully yours, too.

At the graveside, we looked upon his beautiful red casket and felt the peace surround us.  After a brief dedication, we released red Team Steven balloons into the air, as we sent up our prayers and love for our sweet warrior, watching them fly away and eventually disappear.  It was poignant and hopeful, peaceful and pure.  It was a final moment where we got to send up love and celebrate his beautiful life together.  It was perfect.

Team Steven "Can You Hear Us Now" Balloons released at the end of the graveside service.

I have been a huge fan of the TV show, LOST.  As the series finale came this past weekend, so many of the themes reminded me of our sweet Steven.  It was about purpose and faith, testing and redemption, soul connections, letting go and moving on … together.  Steven and his parents were tested by his illness.  They all maintained their faith, and Steven’s will to live as long as he could was one of the most amazing and inspiring things for so many to witness.  A little piece of all of us found redemption in our love for that beautiful boy.  Today was a day of family, of coming together to let him go … physically, at least.  The beauty of it is that Steven will stay with us, and the lessons he taught us about embracing life will remain.  One day, he will be reunited with the wonderful souls who loved him so during his time here with us, where everyone can move on … together.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers of support that have been constant.  Once I return to California, I will share with you a few things about his journey’s end, along with a lovely story about how his mother’s prayer was answered.  I will also be posting a link for you to order any Team Steven items you may want (there are great hats, shirts, bags, cups, etc.) – all proceeds will go to the family.  If you would like to sign the online guestbook at the funeral home, you may do so via the Steven Wilson link on the funeral home’s website:  www.hutchinsmaplesfuneralhome.com – following is Steven’s obituary information.  Thank you again for your love.

Steven Tyler Wilson was born April 12, 1992 to Robert Steven Wilson and Tela Denise Sargent in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He departed this life in the early morning of May 21, 2010 at the age of 18 years.

Steven attended Bristow High School where he was a Junior. As a child, Steven attended the First Church of God and later the Bristow Christian Center. Steven has been an active member of the High School Academic and Debate Team. As well, he enjoyed history, video games, paint balling and listening to his zune player. Steven will be most remembered for his beautiful smile; he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Steven is survived by his father, Steve Wilson of Bristow; his mother, Denise Sargent and her husband, Jeff, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Paternal Grandparents Bob and Bonnie Wilson of Bristow; Maternal Grandparents, Mike & Melba VanOrsdol of Bristow and Phyllis Whitehouse, of Bristow; two brothers, Rocky Adcock of Tulsa, and Ryan Adcock of Jenks, OK; three sisters, Whitney Whitekiller of Tulsa, and Jaxie and Jaden Sargent of Tulsa; two nieces, Shyanne Adcock of Jenks, and Kaydence Whitekiller of Tulsa; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services were at 1:00 pm today, Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Freeland Center in Bristow with Reverend Wayne Gemmill officiating; assisted by Merlin Mosher. Interment followed in Bristow City Cemetery.