This first blog is a little long but it takes you through the holiday's to last night. I will post on here often.
Well I finally got to writing a blog about our families journey without our precious son Stephen who passed away unexpectedly on November 29, 2011. We are devastated with his loss and left with many questions on why this happened. On a scientific note we still have not received and an official cause of death from the coroner which has caused some discomfort as we would like some closure to this. From a spiritual perspective we hold faith that God has called Stephen home because his work on earth is finished. As a family we struggle knowing that he had so much more here do on earth. Stephen was such a giving young man with a big heart and a kind soul. He had an infectious smile which was referred to many times throughout these past weeks. We miss seeing that smile at home because it always brightened our day.
These past weeks have opened our eyes to the goodness that surrounds us. Our friends, family, and community members have opened up their hearts to us. They have supported us with cards, kind words, and many visits just keeping an eye out for us. The hockey family has been so awesome to our family these past weeks and continue to amaze us with the outpouring of support. Our neighbors the Williams have been such special people. They have been over at our house with treats and support as well as beautiful shadowbox remembering Stephen. They designed the beautiful thank you cards for us and we know we can never repay them for all the love and kindness they have shown our family through this tough time. Their girls Sam, Sydney, and Reiley have also been great with Sam actually starting the Facebook Page "RIP Stephen Reynolds". It has been a nice place for people to put tributes and share memories.
We got through the holiday's, just ok. It wasn't great but it didn't suck either. On Christmas Eve we went to Darla's parents house like always and we did not deviate from that this year. The highlight was when Stephens little cousins opened the present that he bought them in September and had it in his closet. We wrapped it up and gave it to them. It was a floating disc that you pull behind a boat or watercraft. Stephen wanted to have another one at the lake so more kids could go at one time. There was not a dry eye in the house but it was a very special time for us all knowing that his spirit was with us. Christmas Day we had at our house as we normally do but there was a huge hole that will not ever be filled. At the gift opening it was not very festive but we got through it. I gave Darla a nice Emerald Pendent which represents Stephens birthstone for May. She wears it daily and it helps remind Darla of Stephen as she goes on with her day.
Everyone has been wonderful to us from bringing out food, visiting with us, helping with anything that we need and we are just so grateful. Thursday the 29th of December was a big night for our family. It was the 1 month anniversary of Stephens passing but it was also the night of the Stephen Reynolds Alumni Hockey Game at the Willmar Civic Center. Stephens game brought tears to our eyes. They figure the crowd to have been over 600 people. What a sight it was seeing the student section full also. There were many faces there that normally do not watch hockey games and what a night it was. I need to thank Tom and Travis Hanson for spearheading this, as well as Kevin Madsen for donating the ice time and having the staff on hand to take care the operational side, Jeff Melby owner of Play it Again Sports for providing the jersey's for the game. All which had the number 7 on the back honoring Stephen who wore number 7. 30 players who all played at one time with Stephen participated in the event and the 2 teams were coached by all of Stephens former coaches. Also, we would like to thank the Willmar Boys Hockey Coach Dan Tollefson for making this happen, plus all of his support from retiring his number this year to leaving his locker space empty. The Willmar Cardinals have been an awesome source of strength for us. Finally, we would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped make this a success. Last night we were presented a check for over $4000 that was raised that night.
Our plan is to start a foundation in Stephens name to provide scholarship opportunities and other support to the community for causes that Stephen would support. I will write more about this as we put this together.
We miss him every day and we will never forget him, and we are constantly reminded the we are surrounded by his presence. I will keep you all up to date on the progress of Stephens foundation which does not have an official name but look for exciting news coming up in the weeks and months to come.
God Bless,
Mike
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