On June 19^th, 1987, God blessed our family with a beautiful baby boy, Stephen Scott Bonesteele. Not a day goes by that we don’t thank our God for making our lives richer for having known and loved Stephen. You may think that Stephen only lived sixteen short years. You may even think that it isn’t fair he died so young. But I am convinced that Stephen lived out God’s purposes for his life in the time that he was given. And he lived them with outrageous joy and passion.

Stephen may have had cancer in his life. But cancer never defined the life of Stephen. He had an incredible will to choose hope over despair. No spinal taps, no bone marrow tests and no amount of chemo treatments could triumph over Stephen’s courageous spirit.

Stephen displayed resoluteness when it came to his education, always striving to complete homework and missed assignments. Where others may have given up, Stephen set his mind to succeed. This steadfastness continued on throughout his educational career, proving to be a source of encouragement to his teachers and classmates. In his final year of high school he was presented with an award for perseverance.

Stephen’s determination was also evident in his personal life. He loved people and placed high priority on relationships. Stephen seized every opportunity to spend time with family and friends. He possessed natural leadership qualities, a positive attitude and a sense of humor that made him a desirable friend. He did his utmost to live life every day it was offered to him. During his years of treatment for Leukemia, he played baseball, soccer and basketball through community sports programs. He rode his bike, loved to skateboard and was hooked on snowboarding the first time he tried it. He was always ready and willing to try anything, especially if it involved a bit of risk. He was, at times, fearless. He once hung on to the back of a car while on his skateboard, resulting in the fracture of his knee. As parents, we were both horrified and thankful…horrified at the injury yet thankful that the disease had not snuffed out our son’s zeal for adventure.

Stephen’s steadfast character also marked his spiritual life. He became a lover of Jesus Christ at a young age and strove to know, love and serve Him from his preschool days forward. Through all of Stephen’s illness, he never questioned God or was angry with Him. As a mother who lived at his bedside for 7 months during some of the most life-threatening circumstances, we shared many precious heart-to-heart talks. Stephen loved his Lord and never blamed Him for his troubles. Stephen believed that there was more to this life than what he could see, touch, taste, or experience. He believed that God was caring for Him whether he was healthy or sick. He maintained his faith that God’s plans for him extended on into eternity.

Stephen was in no way perfect. The flip side of his strong character was that he was, at times, undesirably stubborn. He struggled with materialism and had difficulty resisting the temptation to be selfish. But he never allowed his faults to damage his relationships. He was obedient to his parents and to his Lord. He practiced forgiveness and restoration in his relationships. He trusted in God to help him overcome his weaknesses.

Stephen’s life was such a precious gift to me. He taught me so much while he was entrusted to my care. His legacy speaks to me in loud whispers…make today count. Yesterday’s gone and you have no guarantee of tomorrow. Place high value on relationships. Be vulnerable in your relationships. Give yourself and your love to family and friends. Look for humor in the small things of your day. Take advantage of every opportunity. Try new things. Conquer your fears with incredible faith in a Savior who has already conquered your worst enemy: death. 

Stephen lived his life with courageous faith and extreme joy. He understood that his worst enemy wasn’t cancer but a broken spirit without the Lord. Stephen’s final words before leaving us were directed toward his father…“Dad, are we in Hawaii?” What precious words and a comforting gift. God was honoring Stephen’s faith and trust in Him and ushering him from our arms into His: paradise. Our Christian faith promises that we will see our dear Stephen again. We wait with eager anticipation for that day. And I am so thankful that no cancer, no trial, no death will be able to take our joy away.

By Robin Bonesteele, whose honor and joy it is to be the mother of Stephen.
 

For tributes of Stephen from family and friends, please visit http://www3.caringbridge.org/wa/stephen/ and click on "Sign and View Guestbook".

 

There are so many things I can write about my daughter. So many memories, hopes and dreams. Her fifteen and a half years of life could fill a thousand books. She accomplished so much in the precious time she spent here. She loved without judgment and taught the ones fortunate enough to know her to do the same.

 

Manda dreamed of her prom, of driving lessons and her future. She was going to be a teacher, a veterinarian and the president of the United States. She was going to find a husband that wanted to adopt a "whole bunch" of kids, because she was worried about the kids who didn't have homes. She believed in unicorns, angels and Santa Claus. She didn't see different races, she just saw that everyone needed love.

 

By no means was Manda perfect, but I think of how boring that would be. She loved to sing, but was tone deaf. She didn't care though, because she was doing something she enjoyed.  She fought with her brother and sister, and drove her mommy crazy. She loved school and earned her high school diploma in November of 2004 at the age of fifteen.  She loved painting, reading, writing poems and stories and just being with family and friends. Her smile lit up a room and her laughter was contagious.

 

Amanda's strength and courage continues to inspire and awe me. Her honest way of looking at the world and at life guides me, and her love carries me.

 

Forever I love you, Baby Butterfly....a million times infinity...

In Loving Memory of Molly Thompson

May 3rd, 1994-October 4th, 1998

  

Life is a gift,

offering us the privilege, opportunity and responsibility

to give something back by becoming more...

 

The Molly Thompson Memorial

Giving back…the Molly way!

www.milesfrommolly.org