See You Later

This is the seventh and final part of a series (read parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) about Steven Hunter, age 21, who was “called home to be with his Lord on January 18, 2003.” Goodbyes are difficult, downright heart wrenching, and can take your very breath away.

Steven, prior to graduating from high school, expressed his appreciation to the staff in a letter titled, “I’m Your Captain: A Farewell”. Here are some excerpts: “I am writing this in the fleeting days of my high school years…In this farewell letter I am going to try to put together my love for Portsmouth High School, its people, and the wonderful community of Portsmouth…as Captain Trojan I was able to boost my confidence and be myself…I will never forget any of you. I hope none of you forget the spirit either…Never forget how you encouraged and helped a regular high school student to be himself and to love his school…You inspired me with your ideas and helped me carry them out with your encouragement. I will miss all of you more than you know…I am graduating but I will always be a Trojan. I am going to take with me the positive influence and lessons I have received here and give it back to whomever I am able to influence. I am proud to be a Trojan and you should be too. Gratefully, Captain Trojan, a.k.a. Steven Hunter.”

While Steven’s father, Mark, was writing Steven’s obituary, Steven’s mother, Virgie, told Mark that instead of flowers she wanted donations made to Portsmouth High School for students needing things they couldn’t afford. What a wonderful way to honor Steven who’s “heart went out” to those less fortunate. Since then, Mark and Virgie have established “The Steven Hunter Hope Fund” for the same purpose. They recently held a benefit concert with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder as the main act and The Poverty String Band with Dana Romanello as the opening act. Dana sang a song she’d written in memory of Steven. She told Mark and Virgie that ‘The Lord’ gave her the song which she wrote in only twenty minutes. Here are excerpts from her song titled, “See you later”: “I learned when I was young He’s got the whole world in His hands…When the Lord calls on the one you love just try to understand. There’s a reason why their heart and soul is needed in the angel’s band….It’s hard to see someone leaving but you’ve got to keep believing there’s a place even better. And you don’t have to say goodbye, just say, ‘See you later’…They’ll leave you for a while, but they’ve got somewhere else to go. He’s giving us all a chance to get there, I pray that you know…You don’t have to say goodbye, just say, ‘See you later’”.

I’m reminded of Jesus’ farewell to his disciples (John, chapters 14-16). Again, here are some excerpts: “In My Father’s house are many mansions…I go and prepare a place for you, that where I am there you may be also…You now have sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and your joy no one will take away from you.” Jesus was telling his disciples, and saying to all believers, “You don’t have to say goodbye, just say, ‘see you later’.” This is the wonderful Gospel message of hope. And Dana is right, “He’s giving us all a chance to get there”.

I vividly remember Mark’s exhortation to my daughter, Jessie, while standing beside Steven’s casket during the funeral visitation, “Jessie, we need to make sure we’re ready.” Mark insisted this series end on a “spiritual note”, because he and Virgie are sincerely concerned that, “young people are deluded into thinking they have plenty of time”. But they know too well how fragile and precious life is. My hope and prayer is that you make sure you’re ready, then you’ll never have to say goodbye, you can just say, ‘see you later’. Please seek Him. He promised that if you do, you will find Him. You know your conscience and your hungry heart are telling you that there’s something missing.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6) “ Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…If you then, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?” (Matthew 7:7-9)

Mark and Virgie invite you to contact them by e-mail at mark.hunter@hunterwilliamsins.com. They would love to receive your stories and memories of Steven or inquiries about supporting “The Steven Hunter Hope Fund”.