I had the pleasure to meet Steve in real life only once, but it was a visit that I will cherish the rest of my life. Steve was such a warm, compassionate person that I hope I can somehow do him justice in writing about what I knew of him.

 

It's funny. It seems like the hardest thing in the world for me to write about my dear friend, but I can still picture his laughing, smiling face in my mind, clear as day. Steve was a wonderful man. He had a heart of gold, and a wit that never ceased to make those of us who knew him smile in gladness for knowing him. Role-playing was one of his favorite things in life, and he truly cherished not just the characters he made here, but the extended family -- his friends -- whom he found here.

 

It's selfish of me to wish him still here. But I do. I miss him. A lot. It's one of those strange truths in life that "you don't know what you've got, till it's gone". And now that he's gone...it's a sad truth that hits home even more. I know he's in a much better place now, with no tears, no emotional scars, no physical pain. It helps me get past the lump in my throat and the tears that blur my eyes from knowing I'll never hear his sweet voice or smile into his eyes again. But even though I grieve, I know he's better off.

 

While he was here to visit me, we stopped at a fountain so that each of us could make a wish. I remember wishing that Steve would find what it was he wanted so much in life. I don't know that he did, but I'd like to think that maybe he found it, after all. I don't know what he wished for...

 

But, my sweet, dear friend...I hope that it came true for you. I'll miss you, as will all those who were lucky enough to know you. You'll live forever in our hearts and minds. You touched our everyday lives with a bit of real-life magic, Steve. And you showed us what it really means to be a hero.

 

In Loving Memory,

~ Corina