5 - 18 - 2020

Farewell
Stephen Matchett
Yesterday night into early morning,
a friend's soul
came and said goodbye,
got on another "plane"
into the Universe
another world,
bringing kindness,
caring and
peaceful smile,
goodbye

I'm so sorry David, but glad you were able to be with him. Lots of love to you, Carol, Kathy, Chris, Bill, Judy, the rest of the family and everyone else who loved Stephen.

I'm in awe. Perhaps, words will come at the memorial or later. My love to each of you for sharing your love of Stephen.
Betz Miller,
... Let us see what love can do.
- William Penn

I am grateful, heartbroken. And moved by this stream of voices that is a testament to his humble, open, and unwavering rootedness in the Spirit.
Through these tears, Julie's words speak my heart: "the world cannot do without Stephen so we must each resolve to be more like him".....

David, thank you for doing such a good job letting us know about Stephen's passing. So many good things have been said to him while he was here and it was wonderful for him to hear and see those words and for the rest of us to be able to express our feelings to him directly. I am grateful that he left the way he did, in calmness and silence, toward a future with no pain and loss.

I miss Friend Stephen. He listened deeply to God's inward voice, and walked where he was led. May his memory be for a blessing and a source of courage, gentleness, and attention.

Dear David and family,
I offer my sincere condolences. Stephen truly lived his values like no one else I know. To paraphrase the line in "As Good as It Gets," he made me want to be a better man. As least I'm certain that knowing him made me understand better what that meant.

I don't know Stephen personally but heard of him through Quaker friends. I am struggling with cancer and so I was especially moved by caringbridge entries.
My thoughts and prayers go to all who loved him and honor his contributions to those around him throughout his life.

Thank you, David and Carol, for channeling the love both ways. And thank you, all Stephen's friends and loves. The unsaid, sometimes trivial things are momentarily overwhelming. Maybe we should all be singing Dylan's "For the Times, They are a-changing." I still savor Stephen's getting a ride past his building, on the way to and from those treatments--a little good experience to counter the suffering, which is otherwise worthless. The Catholics who had me my first 16 years lost me over the suffering of those who don't deserve it, that they said we should "offer up." Stephen didn't have a dishonest bone in his body. What we get is the luck of the draw--as with love. We give all we have, knowing it might not be near enough. Goodbye, Stephen--kind, resolute, open friend--goodbye.

My deep condolences to you and Carol, your parents, and all your family.