Bold, loving, full of life
Steven brought light into the world the moment he was born. With a stunning smile and impossible-to-ignore presence, he loved on a deeper level. A giving, protective, compassionate spirit made him a loyal friend and dedicated brother to his siblings Damian, Marcus, and Dominic. Smart humor and warm hugs welcomed all. Steven was his mother Iris’s pride and joy, her heartbeat and her purpose. Full of dreams and promise, he was an “old soul,” brave enough to dream and smart enough to plan for bigger, better things.
His dreams were big, and his interests varied, including chess, making music, brainstorming business ideas, and having fun with family. He was born an entrepreneur, seeking success with a business of his own. At fifteen, he had his own clothing line. After attaining his high school equivalency diploma, he pursued degrees in cooking. Ingenuity led the way to success for Steven. He was always creating, moving, and inventing with limitless potential. Steven once told his Iris, “Mom, one day I’m going to do something big.” She never doubted he’d do exactly that and couldn’t wait to see which big vision he would turn into reality.
Steven’s plans involved forming his own company, buying his mother a house, and making her proud. Relentless pursuit of success was interrupted by grief, in many forms, including the loss of treasured friends, incarceration, and nearly succumbing to substance use. His motivation faded, sadness sweeping in to take its place. Iris lived in fear for her baby boy. The night before he passed, he reached out to his mother, deep in sorrow and hurt. He doubted his strength and resilience. She held him while they wept. She told him she would never give up on him. He wiped away her tears. He said he was okay, but the pain was apparent. That was the last time Iris held her son in her arms.
Steven and his story encouraged others to fight back against their own substance use disorders. Many whom he once knew have been in recovery since. That comforts his mother, as does knowing Steven left this world feeling loved unconditionally, that he was her hero, and that he was so much more than his pain or his disorder. His heart, the strength and breadth of it, endures, and Iris proudly proclaims, “I will love him for the rest of my life and beyond.”
Steven’s mother, Iris Garcia, provided the information for this narrative.
July 29, 2000-November 6, 2021-Age 21
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Jill Denton
