Bittersweet is all I can say when I think of this coming Saturday. My son has his prom that day, another milestone in my boys life that will be something to look back on with some pride and hopefully a funny story or two. Saturday is also the funeral service for my best friends son, who passed away in January of 2014 from leukemia. Here is a link to a little information on him if you wish to read it:
http://www2.coasttocoastagainstcancer.org/ambassadors/simon-julian-steele/
You see, Simon and my son Liam were the same age, and they grew up a few doors away from each other in Lunenburg. They played together when they were younger...more like they got into trouble together when they were younger. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend Simon's service because of prom activities, hence the bittersweet. I really wanted to be there for Scott and his family. They are some great people that were truly inspirational to me when they were going through this tragedy. Their sense humour and a humanist approach to life in general really was an unbelievable thing to witness.
When I would talk to friends about Simon being sick and his prognosis the most common response was always, I can't even imagine. And you can't. I can't. It's too painful to even think of much less go through. But Scott, Fiona, Courtney and Sarah were grace and humour personified. This was not some unfair happenstance or part of God's plan to them, their son was broken on the inside and for all the passion and dedication that the doctors and nurses attacked this bastard with, somethings simply cannot be fixed. Fuck Cancer!!! To be a small part in the worst thing imaginable for a parent, I learned that what matters is the here and now when living through hell. It was hard and painful.....and I can't even imagine.
I guess two or three stories come to mind when I think of Simon. Two of them involved Liam and Simon getting into mischief, as kids are wont to do, while playing at Scott's house down the road from us. As Scott tells it, on one occasion he was at the sink washing dishes in front of a large window. A black something flew past his field of view and he didn't think anything of it. Then another, and another....uh oh. Out he went to investigate and sure enough, Liam and Simon are on the roof over the garage ripping shingles off and throwing them around like so many Frisbee's. I ended up coming over with some spare shingles to cobble together a roof covering.
I might add that Scott doesn't hear that well and he can be forgiven in not following the golden rule when it comes to kids....if there is silence there is mischief and probably damage happening. On occasion two he noticed water coming from the ceiling. Springing up the stairs he finds two boys giggling as they watch water running from the cast iron radiator spigots...ugh
On a couple occasions a year Scott and I will go up to his cottage to have a guys weekend away. No spa treatments though, just beer, wine and food with a lot of profanity laced conversation and observation. On one such occasion I had stopped into Lunenburg to pick up Mr Steele for our little mini vacay. As I waited inside talking to Scott and Fiona as Scott was getting ready, they mentioned that "Simon" was upstairs playing. I didn't think anything of it. Then they did it again, "Simon" is doing this and that. Excuse me, who the hell is Simon? OH, funny story, Simon is Julian. Before Simon became Simon, he was always Julian to me. That's how we knew him, Julian. Seems Julian decided one day at school to go by Simon. Just like that he only answered to Simon. And kept it up...always. My youngest Cora thought she would do this at one point, she wanted to go by Elizabeth. It lasted less than a day, especially since I was calling her Lizzy. But Simon stayed true.
He was a character to be sure. Their whole brood is actually, original and unique kids that will grow up to be original people. It's a privilege to be a part of their lives, all of them. I can't believe it's been two and half years since he passed away. A beautiful boy that had his race in life cut short by malignant microscopic cells...truly a sad thing. Fuck Cancer!!!
So, I will be thinking of the Steele family this Saturday at 1:11 pm, wishing I was there to raise a glass of Scotch to a boy that showed a zest for life, bravery beyond compare and smile that could light up a room.
Cheers Simon
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