He had a particularly special bond with Carigan, but they all thought he was the greatest.
The last time we saw Uncle Steve, the weekend after Thanksgiving, less than two months ago. He and Becca had come straight from the gym. He brought the kids a Captain Hook plate. I've been impatient for them to come for an extended visit now that Steve was retired. He couldn't leave Jasper, their very old and ailing dog. He promised when Jasper was gone, he would come. Steve and Connie went together to put Jasper to sleep four days before Steve died.
Wesley got a little emotional when I asked him to talk about Captain Hook for me, so I didn't push him too much. But he said his favorite memory is exploring his garden and snapping the peas (a sweet memory that all the kids mentioned individually). Anna Kate said: Captain Hook was funny and he really loved us kids. He always made me feel happy when I saw him. He always wanted to play the games I wanted to play like salon and chef. And I like his garden. He gave me a cucumber just for me. I really miss him.
Carigan said: I love Captain Hook because we would pretend like the checkers were makeup and I'd put on his makeup. At Mimi & Grandpa's at the family dinner I ran and tried to bump into the couch but I accidentally bumped into the armrest and he laughed. Every time I would do this (patting her cheeks) on him, he would do this (patting her cheeks) on me. I liked to say, "Captain Hook!" and he would say, "What?!" I liked breaking the beans and seeing the fairy garden.
My favorite memory of Steve is when he arrived for Michael's brother's wedding. I had been near tears for a couple hours. Michael had to be there really early to help set up and do pictures and whatever else they needed. We only had one car in Nashville so we had to go together. Wesley was not yet walking and was in this expensive all-white linen outfit Mimi had bought him and I didn't have a change of clothes. It was an unusually cold day and the stone floor of the church was so cold and all Wesley wanted to do was get DOWN and crawl but I couldn't let him get dirty. I got shooed out of two different places when trying to find a place to nurse. I don't even remember where everyone else was (just family there at this point, and they were all working I guess) but I remember being alone in that church with an increasingly tired and fussy baby for hours. I went outside once desperate to find Michael to help me and the photographer yelled at me across the lawn to get out of the background of the pictures they were taking. I was trying to get to Michael so I could get the keys to our car so I could just go sit in the heat with Wesley. We were freezing. I was walking back into the church thinking I'd just have to resume my search for a warmer corner of the cold stone floored church when Steve and Connie walked in. It was like the Calvary had arrived! Steve sauntered in, gave me a hug, took Wesley and kept him entertained for me the rest of the time before the service, and helped me with him throughout the entire ceremony. I was so so grateful. Steve always shows up ready to help you and make you feel loved, but that day he had no idea how much I needed it! He just took care of people. You didn't have to ask, he just did. I don't think he ever knew how much that meant to me. Ever since, my face just lights up when Uncle Steve arrives. I'm so grateful for the time we had with him, but so heartbroken that Tate won't get to grow up with a Captain Hook anymore. I'm sure the other kids will never forget him.
-BELOW- Connie's memorial to Steve on their dock. We take comfort in knowing he lived life to the fullest, living on the river and fishing so much that Michael has always been jealous. He was rocking retirement, with his huge garden and constant fishing trips with his son. I told Michael this past summer I want us to do retirement like Uncle Steve does retirement. I wish he got to enjoy it longer.
Michael and I traveled to Tennessee to be with family that gathered to remember Steve on January 30 (my 37th birthday). We left the kids in Florida with my mom so we could get to Tenn. and back quickly. We were there less than 18 hours because we had to get back to pick up the kids Sunday evening before school on Monday. Jonathan came down from Virginia and brought Noah and Elise, and I got to spend some actual quality time with them without Tate there to jealously pull me away. Noah & Elise are so smart and completely hilarious. Noah is so much like his dad it's a bit freaky. They were troopers during the very long family gathering. Can't wait to get our whole crew together soon.
We went to dinner together, but there was such a huge turnout of friends and family eager to linger and remember Steve that we didn't get out until quite late. We doubted we could get a large party in at a nicer restaurant at that hour on a Saturday night, so we just headed to the Mexican place down the road. So glad I got to spend some time with Connie and Becca. My heart is so heavy for them. Wish we could have stayed longer.
Cousins all grown-up... those are some good-looking genes in this family! I love this family so much and thank God every day that He brought me into it. Steve welcomed me with open arms. What an incredible legacy he's left behind. We'll miss him every single day.
