In Loving Memory of Steve Forell

In honor of a life fully lived & per Steve's request, here is a small way that we can give back to this world that he gave so much to: 

Please join me in making a donation to one of Steve's favorite charities, The Shriners Hospitals for Children. Every donation is tax-deductible & will go directly to the charity in Steve's memory.

Steve was more than a friend, he was like family. Our families have grown up together in the 25 years since meeting through the Yorba Linda Masonic organizations. The community that Steve built around all of us is still like an extended family today, and it's impossible to imagine him not here at the heart of it. From Jobs Daughters to DeMolay to Indian Princesses and more, Steve's big heart brought all of us together through a purpose that was very clear: to make the world a better place. And that he did.

Steve - You weren't just one in a million, you were truly one in 7.6 billion.  There is no one on the planet like you. Weeks. Months. Years. Maybe never. I don't know how long it will take us to realize & accept that you're no longer here, but you can be sure that your legacy will live on through generations of your beautiful family & all of us whose lives were blessed by yours.

The morning I learned of your passing I hopped in my car to visit your family and heard this song for the first time. I can't say it better myself, so I want to share the lyrics with all of you: 

"Your spirit will live here forever
The sea will echo your gypsy soul
You will always bring us together, this much I know
Oh, your smile was as big as this island
You could drown in your eyes of blue
You were friend of a friend and someone, I'm glad I knew

"I'll always see you dancing, up there on the bow
Living life in the moment, happy on the hey now
And you'll live with us as long as, memories stay alive
And you left us with so many
You will never die never die
You will never die never die

"I hope time can be our healer, maybe time can be a friend
Still I'm a strong believer, someday we'll see you again
Where the sun is on our faces and the wind is at our back
Sailing south to our favorite places, where the water's calm and flat

"Our circle of friends, we're sad that you're gone
We celebrate your life with stories and a song
Somehow you will keep us strong"

(taken from "Happy on the Hey Now" by Kenny Chesney)

We miss you, Steve, and always will. Cheers to living with no regrets & embracing every moment, as you always did!