Stephen C. McKinney Memorial Thread (1969-2001)

[Furls Fire]

From my diary, (yes, I have one too), keep in mind that I was only six when I wrote this...LOL!

July 29, 1969

Mommy and Daddy came home with our new baby brother today. His name is Stefen Clark McKinney. He is a angel! He glows and I love him very much! I want to keep holding him and never put him down. I think he nos me and loves me to. I hold him and he don't cry. Mommy sez that he is God's speshal gift to us. I think he is to. I love you Stevy!

Happy Birthday, Stephen

Your light still shines bright in our lives. I miss you so much, but you are not really gone, are you? You come to me and I feel you everywhere. God bless you, my sweet brother. I love you!!!

Your favorite song...

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and daffodils
Catch the breeze and winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
They did not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you Vincent
This world was never meant for one as
beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They did not listen they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will...

We are only here for a short time, some of us here less than others. While I am here, I will sing gratitude to the Father for my life and walk in the path of His light...

And you did, Stephen, you did.

[Revan]

awww!!! That's really sweet Furls!!! Thanks for sharing.

[dlbpharmd]

Lurking on this thread as usual, it struck me today that Stephen was only 1 month older than I am. I turn 35 next month. Talk about a shot in the gut. I never realized how young he was when he passed away. Of course, Revan will say that we're all old, but what does he know?

Thanks, Furlsy.

[Stephen C]

July 27, 1999 12:01am

Ha! Hot diggity dog! I made it to 30! How amazing is that?

Ah, Stephen Clarke McKinney you should not have doubted you would see this number. The Father still has work for you to do it seems. We are only here for a short time, some of us here less than others. While I am here, I will sing gratitude to the Father for my life and walk in the path of His light. And I shall do it willingly, though my body seems to be failing me more and more. Yet, this is not the day to speak of such things. This day, I will just give thanks to the Lord for this precious life-gift He bestowed upon me 30 years ago. And what a blessed life I have lead. My family, my friends, my work, my joy in the Lord; blessed beyond words. How did I become so worthy of it all? How did it happen that I should be granted such beauties and wonders? I am merely one man, one soul, in a sea of millions. What of me, Father? What of me that deserves the grace of such miracles?

Light erupts behind the mountain at sunrise
Afire, the night gives way to day
Song rises from nature around me
Birth of a new day, birth day mine.

There is more life for me, more time, more work to do. There is more love, more joy, more peace to share. There is more help, more hope, more strength to offer. There is more life for me.

And now, I will take myself out of this closed space and go outside. Out where the path is. I will stand in the Light of the Lord and sing my out my gratitude for this day, and for the gift of my life. My birthday.

[Worm of Despite]

Happy b-day Stephen! You were born on the same day as my grandfather.

[Furls Fire]

Lurking on this thread as usual, it struck me today that Stephen was only 1 month older than I am. I turn 35 next month. Talk about a shot in the gut. I never realized how young he was when he passed away. Of course, Revan will say that we're all old, but what does he know?

Thanks, Furlsy.

He was wise beyond his years, Don He was reading at age 2, playing symphony pieces on the piano by the time he was 7...etc. And just by his journal entries he seemed older than he was. When he was a child, his wisdom would stop people in their tracks.

And you know what, you don't have to just lurk here ya know, you can say something

Happy b-day Stephen! You were born on the same day as my grandfather.

Truly a great day then!

Zia is home and doing beautifully, everyone

[duchess of malfi]

vg news!!!!

[Fist and Faith]

SO HAPPY ZIA!!!!!!

Happy birthday Stephen!!!!! I made a couple posts yesterday, but when I tried to post here, I couldn't get back on. So a day late, but heartfelt anyway! I think the world was greatly enriched 35 years ago.

[Furls Fire]

[The Other Sister]

I thought I would also share a birthday memory of Stephen.

It was his 8th birthday and like any little boy he had a birthday party. Friends, family, cake, presents, balloons, the whole gambit. After opening up all of the presents everyone had given him, he stood up on his chair and stared out at all of us. Those blue eyes just sparkling in the sunlight (we had the party outside by the pool). His face was serious, but he was wearing that smile, the one that told everyone that knew him he was going to say or do something profound and important. Yep, even at 8 years old he had that smile. After a minute or two of just standing there like that, he finally said what was on his mind. It went something like this........

"Thank you everyone for coming to my party. Jesus has blessed me with such wonderful family and friends. I'm a very lucky boy to have all of you in my life to love me and take care of me...."

And this point, his smile faded and he put his little hands in his jeans pockets.

"But, there are alot of kids who don't have what I have. They don't have a mom or dad, or a big house, or friends, or enough to eat. Some don't even have a bed to sleep in. So, I was wondering. Would it be alright with all of you, if I took all these great gifts and money you just gave me and donated it to the children's home?"

Of course this drew a collective intake of breath and a general outcry of astonishment, especially from the other kids present...which included my other brothers and me (Tracie didn't seem surprised at all, she just smiled at him, and he held her eyes with his, smiling back).

"I know you brought it all for me, and I know it's kinda rude of me to ask you if it's okay to give it all away. But, they have nothing, and I have all of you. It's not that I don't like it all, it's all great stuff! But, I think this is what Jesus would want me to do."

Of course, no one refused Stevie, and after the initial shock of his request wore off everyone just flooded him with praise and all the parents were just beside themselves when they complimented ours on what a wonderful son they had.

8 years old everyone...This is who Stephen was. The world lost a treasure when he left it.

I thought I would share that.

Happy birthday Stevie. Love you always

Julie

[dlbpharmd]

Welcome, Julie, and thanks.....any sister of Furlsy's.....

[Fist and Faith]

Like I said to your brother, nice to see you again Julie. And thanks for the story. Can't say I'm surprised hearing such things about Stephen anymore. heh Always delighted, though.

[Furls Fire]

Hey sis!! good to see you pop on

"Furlsy"

And yep Fist, that's just who he was, from the time he was born to the time he passed on. He did such things his whole life. Julie is right, the world did indeed lose a great treasure when he left.

When you think of me
think of joy and love
don't cry for me
for I'm in the arms of Jesus
and at peace...--Stephen 2001

[Fire Daughter]

In silence listen for me
in whispering I will come
precious one I have not left you
my soul, my essence, my love
lives on.

When missing me
call out my name
and I will wrap you up in light
sweet one don't shed tears
there is no death, no darkness
only peace, joy, and Heaven.

That's a special poem my Uncle wrote for me before he passed on. I was very upset at the thought of losing him. You know, he was never afraid of dying, he only worried about all of us. How WE would handle it. And now that he has gone home to Jesus, I realize that my mother was right. He hasn't really gone anywhere. I can still feel him and hear him and talk to him. He's here all the time.

Happy Birthday Uncle Steve

[Furls Fire]

There's a peace in passing on
to where Jordan flows
all agony released away from me
all weeping still at journey's end.
Of me there will be only breath of memory
An essence of soul laying still in the air
A smell, a song, a voice whispered softly
A touch, a spirit, a joy corporeal
A heart living on
Where Jordan flows

--Stephen C. McKinney 2001

[Fire Daughter]

That one always reminds me of this song, Mom...

"There's a peace that passes all understanding
in a world crazed with fear
they say that I am much too demanding
to want a better place than here..."

[Furls Fire]

You mean this one?

Visions, by Jennifer Knapp

I think about the waves of time
and how they roll across my shoulders
Thinkin no clock is gonna get the best of me
Minutes threaten through the years
to carve wrinkles with my tears
Across the face with straining eyes to see.
They're looking for...

The peace that passes all understanding.
In a world crazed with fear.
They say that I am much to demanding
to want a better place than here.
So I'll go unto visions
the prophets claim to me
and I'll dream of Heaven
the promise in which I believe.

Was made by the Father...
sealed by the blood....
with the promise of spirit.
My victory is won.

Outside are dogs and scoffers.
who mock my very soul.
They steal the Joy of the promise I own.
But I will not be shaken
from the rock that cleaves to me.
I have searched the world and found.
there's one thing I need. it's the...

peace that passes all understanding.
In a world crazed with fear.
They say that I am much to demanding
to want a better place than here.
So I'll go unto visions
the prophets claim to me
and I'll dream of Heaven
the promise in which I believe.

Was made by the Father...
sealed by the blood....
with the promise of spirit.
My victory is won

Stephen really loved this Christain singer.

[Furls Fire]

Hail everyone

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of my membership on the Watch. And what a wonderful, blessed year it has been. I love all my friends here.

This is also the place that brought Isaiah to us, and for that, I will be eternally grateful. I truly believe that God (and Stephen) lead me to this beautiful place just so I could be there for him.

God bless all of you, I just love my Watch family!! Hope to have many more years here.

Peace and love always,

Tracie

[Fist and Faith]

Happy Anniversary, you glorious woman!!! I'm sure I speak for more than just myself when I say I'm happier than words can express that you are among us!

[duchess of malfi]

Happy Watch Birthday, Furls!!!