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Carolyn M. Vail
11-02-2011
03:46 PM ET (US)
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Dear Bruce and Nancy
It was no coincidence that I met you folks as one of the Pease Greeters on 10/28/11. Thank you so much for sharing about the life of your wonderful son, Stephen. Stephen is not lost, he is in the presence of the Lord; the Savior he loved. This truth brings so much comfort to you, his loving parents, and to others. I look forward to meeting him one day. How wonderful that the message of his life and his promotion to Glory is reaching out to others and sharing the wonderful Salvation Story. Only in heaven will you know the lives that Stephen has touched. God Bless You both! "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him ... so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:2-3 Yes, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus!! Amen!
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Donna Gilliland
03-27-2009
05:42 PM ET (US)
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I was surprised and saddened to learn of Steve's passing. I hadn't seen him since he was young boy. One time I was in the backseat on a ride home from Lenox and the "knock knock" jokes started as soon as the car was in gear. I knew it was going to be a long ride home. After about 40 minutes or so, I answered with "Come in!" He barely missed a beat before he just carried on with the jokes for the remainder of the ride. The ride actually went pretty fast that day :-)
That young boy grew up to be a fortunate young man to have the love and nuturing of such wonderful parents as Nancy and Pastor Brown, and the love of so many caring people, which is evident in the legacy of love that he has left with so many.
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Pam Keefer
03-08-2009
10:17 AM ET (US)
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Pastor and Nancy Brown,
I can't believe it has been two years already. Thank you for coming to see me at work a couple of weeks ago. You brought me the brochure of "Faith in the midst of pain". At that time I was heavy hearted worring about my oldest son and some troubles he had gotten himself into. But your visit made me realize that this will pass and he is learning a big life lesson. I also realized that he is still with me and a healthy young man, which is a big blessing. I cannot imagine walking in your shoes and losing a child.
I shared with my new co-workers who didn't have the pleasure of knowing Stephen (Or being teased by him) his story. And by sharing his story, I tell them the lessons in life that I learned from Stephen. I learned that even during hard times, the people around you are still important. I saw Stephen quite a bit during his illness, but he wanted to be treated as our friend and not a patient. He would quickly share what was going on with him then wanted to know what was going on in our everyday lives. He wanted to be in on our practical jokes and hang out to talk when we weren't busy with real "patients". I truely miss those talks.
I kept with me in my car tucked up in my visor the picture of Stephen from his memorial service. One morning while I was driving to work I passed my ex, and well, I said a few colorfull words and gave a hand signal that wasn't very nice. All my windows were up and the heat wasn't blowing, but Stephen's picture fell into my lap. I think he was trying to tell me that I could choose to be an angry person over this situation, or I could forgive and let the anger go. Stephen wasn't angry over his health conditions when most people would be. I wanted to choose to not be angry.
So even though it has been two years since his passing, please remember that he is not forgotten. And thank you for your visits with me.
Pam
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Matthew Hampson Sr.
09-14-2008
01:13 PM ET (US)
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I had the distinct pleasure of knowing Steve my whole life. I have many memories of my friend. The one that stands out the most to me would be the time that Steve and I got into his gold Reliant and started heading to Portsmouth so he could buy a new Nintento Game Boy.. We were talking about what he was gonna buy and what games he was thinking about getting. I asked him how many games he was going to get. He started telling me about how much money he had on him and how he wanted to get 2 games to go along with his new game boy. The only problem with his plan was he didnt have enough money... I asked him how he planned on getting the extra 2 games when he didnt have enough money. He nonchalantly told me how we were going to stop at the Rollinsford Stop and Go and he was going to go buy a can of Coke. At that time, Coke had a promotion going were they had hid $50. in a bunch of cans all over the country. Steve told me that he was going to go to that Stop and Go and he was going to go get a can of soda and he was gonna get the money he needed to get those games. I, of course, laughed at him and said that there was no way he was gonna win... I must have forgotten who I was talking to.... We went into the store and Steve went up to the soda case and stood there and was looking at all the cans of coke. He stood there for a few minutes and then picked his can and went and paid for it. We got out of the store and got into his car. Steve started to drive down the road and just left the can in the cup holder... I was going crazy with the suspense after a couple of miles and begged him to open the can. He laughed and said "Whats the matter? You dont think I will win?" I just told him to hurry up and open the can.. Steve picked up the can and opened it.. less than a second after he opened it out popped this little canister from inside the can and inside was the $50. bill that he somehow knew was inside... I was totally surprised.. Steve wasnt surprised.. somehow he knew.. There isnt a day that goes by that I do not think of my friend... I miss him more than I could have possible imagined. Steve was the best friend I have ever had and I will miss him until the day that I get to join him. He used to joke with me and tell me that I wasnt going to miss him once he was gone... He was wrong.. I used to think that Steve was the luckiest person I had ever met.. I still do.. But I think the real lucky ones are the ones that were blessed for even a few minutes to have Steve in their lives... Edited 09-14-2008 01:37 PM
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Tiffany
09-14-2008
12:40 PM ET (US)
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I didn't get the chance to know Stephen very long. But, what I did know is that he was a man full of spirit. Diann and I went to the hospital a few times to visit him and he had stopped over to her place a few times while I was there. Yes, It was Diann and I who got him the "It's a Boy Cigar" It was very funny, and put a puzzled smile on his face when we first gave it to him. Stephen sure liked to joke around and make you laugh. I was sad to hear of his body failing, but happy for him and his spiritual gain. I know that he's probably up there now cracking some jokes while he's watching us all down here stumble in our sinful ways. Though, I didn't get the time to get to know Stephen better at this time, I was blessed by getting to know his Mother and Father. These are most wonderful, caring, and sweetest people I have ever met. I love just being around you with your love, kindness, and smiles. I am honored to be a member of the church, and to have the sense of belonging that I get when I am there. It has changed my life and continues to give me courage and strength in my everyday life. God bless and thank you all. Edited 09-14-2008 12:41 PM
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Juan Leura Jr
01-23-2008
10:38 AM ET (US)
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Well Steve, I know you are in heaven right now celebrating. the fact that the red sox won the world series, the pats going to the super bowl, and the celtics are the #1 team in the NBA. Sorry, couldn't say much about the bruins.
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Laura West
12-06-2007
03:23 PM ET (US)
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I didn't really know Steve very well. He was my downstairs neighbor. We did run into each other a few times though, and I remember that the one thing we had in common was sports. When I saw him we would stop and chat for a few minutes about the Red Sox or the Patriots. Another thing that stands out in my mind is his love for my mother's raspberry jello salad. I remember one time my mom left some in a tupperware container outside Pastor Brown's house, and Steve found it and ate it. When my mom asked Pastor Brown how it was, he couldn't answer because Steve had eaten the treat! Mom made some more for Pastor, but I'll never forget it.
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Connie Leura
05-12-2007
05:57 PM ET (US)
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Steve was a good friend. He sure knew how to tease. He always wanted my Eeyore clock and threatened to kidnap it several times. He also wanted to take care of it when I went to England but I was afraid that I would never get it back. He loved to play games. We had so much fun playing Uno, Jenga blocks (where he lost most of the time, but it was fun watching the blocks go tumbling down), I will always remeember playing hand'n'foot with Steve and Marelene against myself and Judy Jenness. Steve and Marlene won and we never had a rematch (well, Steve, when we join you in heaven we can finally have our rematch). I will miss Steve but I will never forget him. We all have fond memories to hold on to.
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Richard Chisolm
04-12-2007
11:39 AM ET (US)
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Sorry it has taken me one month to express this to you Bruce, Nancy and Joel. Through my work as a cameraperson for the ABC Hopkins television series, I was offered the privileged opportunity of meeting Stephen and you in the hospital setting, during the worst three days of your lives which happened to be Stephen's last. The experience of being with you for hours at a time while Stephen was leaving us was profoundly sad but intensely inspirational to me. My job as a documentary observer was rendered trivial in comparison to what I absorbed from you personally. I was fortunate, however belatedly, to become a student of Stephen's life and will always remember his death. He passed away on my fiftieth birthday (as if he knew I needed a distraction from self-pity.) I only wish he could have lived to face his own half-century milestone.
Thank you for allowing me to be with you and for teaching me so much.
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Juan Leura Jr
04-10-2007
11:37 AM ET (US)
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Steve was a great friend. Yeah, there was a lot of teasing between us. We enjoyed going to concerts together. We loved video games. Mike S., my brother John and I loved to compete against Steve in sport games. It didn't matter what sport, football, basketball or baseball, we'd have fun. We would win most of the time. I enjoyed going over to watch wrestling on pay-per-view. Good times. I will miss his competitive side the most. I miss you Steve and our memories will go on.
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Patty Stevens
04-03-2007
07:35 PM ET (US)
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The night that Stephen passed on to be with the Lord, I sensed God ministering to my heart that He would give me a poem of rejoicing for Stephen and so He did in the wee hours of the night after his dad and mum shared with us here at church. So here it is and when you read it think of it as if Stephen is saying it personally…
“Loved In His Embrace”
From the heart of my mother singing
Look full in His wonderful face
I now do see things clearly
And live in His sweet embrace
From the hugs of my dear father
And the closeness we did share
My burden has been lifted
And to be with Him’s so fair
Precious loved ones still on earth
Continue to look above
And understand how I feel
Enveloped in His Love
And though weeping endures for a season
If you could only see
The paradise where I now live
And the grace that has set me free
The laughter here’s abundant
With all the heavenly folks
And they all do seem to appreciate
When I tell them all my jokes
So mum and dad and precious loved ones
Understand when I tell you true
Heaven is a paradise
So try and not be blue
And know that life is but a vapor
And soon we will unite
When all the shadows of this world
Will turn into delight
When you will see as I see now
And depart from time and space
And enter into His Pearly Gates
And be loved in His embrace
But until then …
As my mother’s heart sings
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
And the joy His love brings
So ado, ado until that day
When the things of this earth will all pass away
But praise be to God when we’re all found in Him
And the things of this earth will seem strangely dim …
God Bless Dear Friend until we see you again … Love Patty Stevens
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Russ Ahlquist
04-01-2007
05:14 PM ET (US)
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When did I first love Stephen?
· When he pulled down his diapers and fertilized my lawn?
No, that was anger.
· When as toddlers, Steve and my daughter Amy, terrorized the “Emmon’s Trailer Park”?
No, that was frustration.
· When as a Senior in high school, the spring fishing trip to Baxter State Park, turned into a hand held video game weekend?
No, that was a true fisherman’s unbelief.
· When he used to win all kinds of contests and prizes?
No, that was jealousy and envy !!!
· When he turned into a sports commentator while the Red Sox, Patriots, and Maine Black Bears were playing?
No, that was entertainment.
· When he was so sick and fought so valiantly?
No, that was a lesson in courage and inspiration.
· Seeing him for the last time in Wentworth Douglas Hospital?
No, that was appreciation and hope for “God’s best.”
When did I first love him?
I realized that it was always ! The love for him just grew and grew as time slipped by.
What an honor to remember him, to call him my friend, and my brother.
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Ron and CeCe Kelly
03-30-2007
10:05 AM ET (US)
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Dearest Friends,
Who can possibly express their feelings at such a time as this, or even give the right kind of comfort? I can't put myself in your place and say I understand how you feel because I don't. But I do certainly care. And one thing I do know, that the true Comforter sent from Heaven by Jesus Himself is quite sufficient to do all that I cannot. This I can do and say, though, and that is that my heart goes out to all of you, and especially you two- Bruce and Nancy.
Our memories of Steve are quite limited since we were only around him during the days there at S. Berwick, but we do remember the times he and our Lisa used to play together when they were small. I can still see them sitting on our living room floor in N. Berwick playing "Concentration". Somehow Lisa always beat him even though she was 2 years younger. I think Steve was about 5 years old then. He probably was too interested in doing a "boy" thing to waste time playing with some girl and concentrating. :-)
The messages left here have added a lot to our "knowing" Steve. I'm glad he chose the path that he did. It's tremendous comfort not having any question marks about where our loved ones are when they leave this planet. Steve certainly did not leave any question marks behind.
I wish so much we could have been there for the Memorial service. We had enough cars to get there but not enough feet to be in more than one place at the same time. Lisa's birthday was the day after Steve's Memorial service. We also were part of a joint birthday party for her and a dear saint who turned 80 on the 17th. We take care of our 7 year old grandson too, get him off to school, etc., while Lisa gets around to go teach school. So that put us out of any chance of getting clear up to Maine. Regardless, the beating of our hearts included the desire to be with you and support you.
God bless you richly,
With great fondness,
Ron and CeCe Kelly
email: RKellyJr5327@comcast.net
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Joel Sharp
03-23-2007
09:19 PM ET (US)
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We each have our own little keepsake of memories we draw from when we think of close friends who have passed away. And such I have of Steve Brown who I knew for 23 years. I first remember him as always joking and teasing me, which would sometimes lead to a little physical tussle. I was younger and stronger back then, and he was just a teenager. I once tried to “drag” him out of my office in one of those friendly matches. Yes, I could overpower him, but I was greatly amazed at the determination he had, to grab the door sill, the filing cabinet, or hands full of carpet, just to keep me from winning! I gave up! He took great joy in “hooting” his great victory in this contest.
Two years ago, Steve had a desire to experience deer hunting. He wasn’t always feeling too well, so we didn’t get out many times. I mostly remember that he liked the experience but had no patience to waste much time sitting quietly. I let him use my vintage 30-30 carbine. It has been a faithful gun and served my grandfather, my father and myself without any problems. Somehow Steve managed to jam the cartridge into the action every time I took him into the woods. I would get him located in a likely spot to watch for deer, then I would tell him where I was going and we were to sit there for an hour or so. Well, I would get settled in my spot, and within a matter of about 20 minutes I would hear something coming through the brush which was obviously not sounding like a deer. Yes, it would be Steve, looking for me to “unjam” the rifle.
We never spent a lot of time together; mostly we’d see each other in the hallway and talk football or something. But in all these times together, we connected pretty well. They were times that were special to us both, moments I will fondly remember.
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Steven Alston
03-23-2007
03:23 PM ET (US)
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Late Submission:
I didn't know Stephen but I do know Joel and Shirley. I can see just from the website how special of a guy he was.
My prayers are with all of you. From the pictures I can see that Stephen was part of a great family.
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Simon & Anita Endacott
03-22-2007
08:38 PM ET (US)
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Steve was fun! A friend who knew how to bring mischievous cheer despite his own undeserved suffering. It is a joy to think of him home causing mischief of course! Steve - glad you're now enjoying life in "widescreen" and no longer in mere "full screen"...we can't wait to see you again when the time comes - better than any imax!!
Whatever the journey the Lord has each of us take the joy is that it is with the Lord. Steve's testimony to us has always been just that. Heaven will reveal how many have got saved because of Steve's testimony. God is good! We thank God for the Brown's in like manner - we love you Pastor Brown and Nancy. We continue to pray for you guys at this time.
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