Stephanie Salazar

In Loving Memory by Stephanie's Mother

On March 10th, 1982 at 5:36am the most beautiful child in the world to me was born weighing in at 8# 8oz and 19" long.

How do you share the most important memories when there are so many? What words to use so those that didn't know her feel how special she is, and to comfort the ones that did? How do you summarize a life? Those are some of the questions I asked myself over these past few days….

I was blessed to have had 2more equally beautiful children, I love you both so much, Brianna and Steven, I wish I could take all of our pain away. We came from a broken family but somehow survived and reaffirmed our commitments to one another throughout time.

Stephanie had a head of hair that was uncontrollable, we used to call her "pebbles" and "helmet head" as a very young child and then her personality took off and soared to unbelievable heights.

Stephanie had the most struggles of my 3 children and always shined so bright. She was at times very angry, but most of the time looked for and found the silver lining in everything around her and within her world. She was a great friend, mother, daughter, and could see the good in everything around her and everyone whose lives crossed into hers.

She had a killer sense of humor and truly loved life. She is a survivor!

We had a 9 year period of time in which we barely spoke. When she had her son Andres, just 10 very short years ago, it opened the door for our time of healing. The talks and memories over this time will never be forgotten. The talks of hope and promise with thoughts of what the future would hold will never leave me.

I don't believe I truly rediscovered my daughter though until she called me one day (2 yrs ago next month) and said mom, I'm scared, I need your help. I picked her up and we spent 2 days talking about everything from the time she was a little girl to present day. Her greatest worry was letting people down and not being here for her son.

The one thing I believe I was able to teach her was how to let go, how to cherish every moment of the time she was able to share with those that meant the world to her, how to love without judgment or conditions, and reminded her of all the silver linings she was blessed with and always got her through her battles.

She liked what us old folks refer to as rap crap, oldies, and some rock. Music was a very important influence in her life. She loved the outdoors, although had not spent much time out there in recent years. She told me she felt so free when the wind was blowing through her hair and the sun was shining down on her like the heavens were embracing her.

At this time, I would like to make a more personal note to a few people that without your presence in my daughters life she would not have grown to be the beautiful young woman she was…….

To Gayle and Martha, I want you know how important you were to my daughter. You were her Mother's when she felt like she didn't have one. Your love, support, and guidance will never be forgotten.

To Ashley, Amber, Nichole, and Patricia (Patsy)…you were her family! Please know she loved you as sisters and cherished you for all you brought to her life. I truly don't believe she would have made it this far without you. You 4 have been in her life for most of her life and she will always live within your heart and memories and would want you to celebrate her life. I had the honor of knowing you all at some point in my daughters life, thankyou for sharing those memories.

To my grandson, Andres, you are loved by so many people huni, but your mom loved you the most (if that's possible) and she fought so hard to stay with you. You will miss her, and times it will be hard, but we are all here for you, my precious, precious, grandson. I love you. Your mom would want you to know and believe that she is always here with you. She lives in your heart and your memories and thought you are the best son a mom could have. She would want you to think about all the good times you had, and at night when you go to sleep she will be there holding you in her arms. She doesn't hurt anymore and god and all those we have lost she has met in heaven and now they are watching over you and making sure you are safe. She wants you to live your life and do all that you can and be happy.

To Alfredo, Usted fue parte de la vida de Stephanie durante ocho años. Me gustaría tener palabras que tomaría su dolor. Espero que algún día podrás estar en paz con los recuerdos que tienen del tiempo que pasó con mi hija. Stephanie te quería mucho (You were part of Stephanie's life for eight years. I wish I had words that would take your pain away. I hope someday you will be at peace with the memories you have of the time you spent with my daughter. Stephanie loved you very much.)

I love you so much Stephanie and thank god for all of the time we had. I will cherish many memories and know you will remain in my heart always. Your Mom


In Loving Memory by Stephanie's Father

First of all, thanks for everyone that's here tonight to celebrate the life of Stephanie affectionately known as just "Steph".
It's hard to put into words how you feel about someone, why she was taken at such a relative young age, to no rhyme or reason, part of life's unpredictability.
Someone that fought so hard to have a normal life if there is such a thing. Someone that was happy with just the simplicity of life itself, who at times knew her life would end but never tried to dwell on it; but wanted to continue to be someone of value which, she was to her family and friends who loved her very much and extended family, you know who you are. To her boyfriend and other loves of her life, her cats, Princess (affectionately known as "mama") to James, el gordo, to monkey maxie, and petsy (Petrie) whom where ever she went in the house the cats were always riding, one of them, mostly mama on her neck, like a necklace. They helped her on the road of recovery.
I'm going to miss her teasing of me in a affectionate way with her so off the wall humor. I'm going to miss taking her to the store, appointments, but will always treasure the moments that we had together. No better daughter, good or bad, which was very minimal. Someone who enjoyed her music, which I called rap crap, but that was her. To a funny movie I would enjoy with her.
As I write this between tears, she'll be missed and loved more then I can say. (everyone remember) El amor es para siempre, love is forever. One day we will play in the woods with the tigers and everything there will be worry free because life goes on.
Dad

This is a list of special songs that were played at Stephanie's Memorial Service; Taylor Swift ~ You Belong With Me, Celine Dion ~ My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion ~ A Mothers Prayer, Eminem ~ Lose Yourself, Enrique Iglesias ~ Hero, Eric Clapton ~ Tears In Heaven, TLC ~ Waterfalls.