These pictures above were taken in December of 2009, just a few months before he was diagnosed with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, a rare and deadly cancer that would take his life after a valiant battle for over four years. It's amazing to me to see him above as a picture of perfect health, and then just a few months later to receive the devastating news that he had terminal cancer.
This is what I wrote on Matthew's Facebook page this morning. Yes, he still has a Facebook page. I'm so glad it hasn't been taken down, as there are a lot of sweet memories and messages there from Matthew from over the years:
"Today, February 25, 2025, is your 52nd birthday, Matthew Steiner. But you've been celebrating your birthdays in heaven since you arrived there on May 25, 2014. I can only imagine what joys and blessings you've been enjoying for all these years. Today I found myself looking back at these photos of when you were in Tae Kwon Do, and first when you earned your yellow belt on 12/4/2009..which was just a few months before you were diagnosed with cancer. And then when your Tae Kwon Do "Master" Thy presented you with your Black Belt in April of 2014, after you had been valiantly fighting your battle with cancer for 4 long years, and just about one month before you entered heaven, where you received your greatest reward ever...meeting Jesus face to face and being welcomed into heaven by the true Master of Heaven and earth. Someday we will join you there, and we look forward to that day with all our hearts.
John 14:1-3 KJV
1 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Matthew Steiner. We love you and miss you here, but we know we will see you again someday! Praise be to Jesus!!"
Every year at this time I struggle with what to say and what to do, but I don't want the day to pass without doing something in his memory. In times past we have usually planted something in the "Memorial Garden", or the "Butterfly Garden", or somewhere on our property in his memory. Sadly, you'd never know it to look at our gardens today. Of course it's still "winter", and we had a big freeze a couple of weeks ago which froze a lot of our plants...but hopefully most of them will come back.
Yes, we want his memory to live on, until we meet again someday in heaven. And then it will be someone else's turn to keep the memories alive...but for us in heaven it will be all JOY and Thanksgiving!
this is so sad and so happy both at the same time. I love your memory garden and we at one time had 8 hibiscus in our back yard. they are nice and hardy, and I know Matthew loves it. it hurts my heart to see what he was and what he went down to in those 4 years. hugs and love coming your way.. way to young to die and leave his family
ReplyDeletePrecious memories ...prayers ..I remember Matthew .
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's so nice to meet someone here who actually knew him. Did you know him at Yield House? I'm thinking that's what you told me, and that you are friends with Nancy? Thank you so much for keeping up with me here. I appreciate it.
DeleteI enjoyed all the photos of your precious son! I love that laughing one at the end. I can see a resemblance to your husband.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you honor his memory, the facebook post is nice, and planting something together as a family is a great thing to do.
What a blessing to think of the reunion in heaven someday! Hugs to you today though.
Oh sweet Pam. I love the pictures of Matthew. Sending you a hug my friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteOh Pamela - I totally get it. Consider yourself HUGGED. 🌹🥰
ReplyDeleteOh, your timing's so good, Pam. Here I was sitting with tears in my eyes and the next minute I'm laughing out loud at this final picture. Unlike his brothers, I do believe Matthew sure resembled you.
ReplyDeleteYours is a beautiful continuing tradition of remembrance. Happy Heavenly birthday to your brave boy.
That's how he's going look at you when you see him again.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your loss, Pamela, and I praise with you that he is with Jesus.
:) Yes I know he will be right there at the gate to meet us, with that big goofy grin. He was always a character and so much fun. He's having a wonderful time in heaven, and I can't wait to get there to join him, but I have to wait for God's timing.
DeleteHugs....
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you!!! I will have to plan for a memorial for our grandson, Ethan, and the garden appeals to me. Sending a hug.
ReplyDeleteSuch bittersweet memories of an amazing son, Pamela. Thank you for sharing how special Matthew was with all of us, and for reminding us that we who love Jesus will all be reunited in the sweet bye and bye. Blessings and hugs!
ReplyDelete(((hugs))) This is such a touching and beautiful tribute so full of memories.
ReplyDeleteI really like that you will have the family together to plant the bush.
What a fantastic photo of him celebrating his birthday.
Much Love
Sue
To answer your question on my blog. Yes we do have Medicare Senior Advantage but the dentist they refer us to is not one we really want to get involved with. We did one time and it cost us more than a local dentist and it was kind of a dentist "mill" with little comfort. We do use the eye care one though. If all else fails we would look into it again. Its been years. Thanks for your concern.
DeleteSue