A Stephen Story – Alyssa and Austin Creek

This is a photo from 2000, right when Stephen and Rosemary started dating.

Rosemary and I had made plans to go to Great America together and a few days before she asked if Stephen could come too. I secretly was disappointed that he was coming because I just wasn’t sure he was good enough for my best friend, but of course I said that he could come with us. I am so glad that he came that day though because it didn’t take long for me to see that Stephen was perfect for Rosemary.

Stephen, I want to thank you for loving Rosemary the way you do, for your heart that seeks and shares God and for sharing your passion for music with so many. You are in our prayers.

- Alyssa and Austin

For you my Love

I have never felt so helpless in my life.  I have never felt so young and yet old at the same time.  I have never questioned the meaning of my life the way I have since this disease stole my happiness.  The world is cruel and unloving.  I struggle for normalcy and to step foot out of my house each day.  I am a slave to my house, my debts, my anger, my hopelessness, my broken dreams.  I could scream til I became hoarse, and it would be useless.  Where is God?  Why is He silent when I need Him the most?  The  cancer has bled into the most sacred and vulnerable part of my soul.  My beloved husband has suffered in its wake.  Hope is a double-edged sword.  Without it, there is nothing.  With hope I am left desperate, wanting, casting futile prayers to the heavans.  Am I a fool?  Maybe the world is random chaos void of goodness.  To watch the one person in the world that you would give your life for suffer through the tortures of disease, trials, procedures, hospitalizations, and the fear of death itself is unbearable.  I cannot save you my love.  I would give anything to see you happy again, without the fear I’ve come to know looking into your eyes.  If I could, I would give you a sacred garden where your music could flourish and flow freely from you spirit.  I would give up everything to see you healthy again.  Sleep evades me when I need it the most.  I wake up terrified with the nagging feeling of impending horrors, calculated in such a perfect way, that they would destroy the strongest being alive.  I am a zombie stumbling through life with outstretched arms waiting, grasping, yearning for a firm foundation.   I was not made for this world.  What are God’s promises?  He is holy. How could I possibly fathom what He wants for me, and from me?  I am alone. I am abandoned.   We are abandoned.   The only numbing solice to be found is being with my love, my husband.  I envy your faith and strength, for I am mortified of being left behind.   The blackness consumes me.  I await a new day….

Always and Forever,

Rosemary

Stephen’s Blog

Here is the link to his personal blog, Silhouette of You, where you can read and comment about Stephen’s experiences and thoughts related to his treatment.

A Stephen Story – Scott Kegley

Hey everyone.

I just got the first Stephen Story in the email and wanted to post it as soon as I could.  This one comes from Stephen’s good friend Scott Kegley.

I grew up just down the street from Stephen.  I remember Marlene telling me that I could come over whenever I wanted because they were “my second family.”  They were much more than that.

I have so many great memories of Steve – going to Royal Rangers, racing pinewood derby cars, racing miniature dragsters, playing baseball in the cul de sac, pretending we were sports broadcasters and eating 20 McDonalds cheeseburgers by ourselves.  That last one wasn’t exactly how we drew it up – Christy, Marlene and Dave had all eaten by the time we got back.

I shared so much with Steve and he even prayed with me when I “officially” asked Jesus Christ into my heart.  I was always raised going to church, but I had never made that declaration until that time with Steve and the rest of our Royal Rangers group.

I was honored to be a groomsman at his wedding.  Even though rain came pouring down for a moment, Steve talked to Rosemary, looked at those in attendance who were sheltering themsleves from the onslaught, and said, “We’re just going to finish here” instead of moving it inside.  That just showed how Steve approached every situation in life – with conviction and determination.

Even when we learned to golf together – neither of us had any clue what in the heck we were doing.  We began by attempting to hit whiffle golf balls from his front lawn to the other side of the street using his dad’s golf clubs which we had found in the garage.  Some of them made it to the other side of the street and a few of them narrowly avoided oncoming traffic.  Don’t worry, the street wasn’t that busy and I don’t believe we caused any accidents.  After Payne Stewart (our favorite golfer) died, Steve and I showed up to the course the next morning dressed in Stewart’s famound knickers and argile socks.  The attendant was so impressed that we earned ourselves a free round!

Though I don’t live down the street from Steve anymore, we would still try to play a round of golf when I came back to Sacramento.  He was my best friend growing up and there’s nothing I would like more than to be able to play many more rounds of golf with him. I hardly ever go golfing when I’m not with him.

Steve, Rosemary, Marlene, Dave and Christy – I think about you guys every day and I keep you all in my prayers.  You are “my second family” and I love Steve like a brother!

- Scott Kegley

Welcome to SavingStephen.com!!

Hi everybody, and thanks for checking out savingstephen.com!  We’ll be posting updates here on how Stephen is doing as well as information for upcoming events. We also have a link to his personal blog, Silhouette of You, where you can read about Stephen’s experiences and thoughts related to his treatment, as well as his interests and life in general. There are many of us who feel honored to consider Stephen one of our best friends, and we are amazed and so appreciative of the outpouring of support we have seen for him so far. We are working on some exciting events to help raise money for Stephen’s treatments, and we thank those of you who have already given and who have been praying for him. Please keep going, every bit helps! Feel free to use the “Chip In” widget on this site, or go into any Wells Fargo bank and make a deposit to the Stephen Shirley Medical Fund. Thank you again for your support, and keep checking back for updates on Stephen! God bless!

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