Goodbye, Dear One ... and Thank You.
We were together… All else has long been forgotten by me.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
Our community has lost a dear friend.
Steve Semer has passed away.
Steve Semer has passed away.
Steve was kind and compassionate. He was a sweet friend to me especially during Ari's coming out. After we sent what has become known as our "Coming Out Christmas Letter," we received a beautiful card from Steve thanking us for our embrace of Ari. I have kept that card and treasure it.
Steve was one who would focus on others. His burdens were not as obvious because he always seemed to be attending to what the other person was saying or experiencing. Today the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer ring over and over in my head, "We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer."
Like so many of us on the Lakeshore, the loss of Steve causes me profound sadness. Steve left an imprint on my heart that will live on and which impacts the very person that I am.
Thank you to my friend, Steve Semer, for enriching my life and the lives of countless others. We will miss you.
posted by Colette Beighley at
3:58 PM
4 Comments:
So sorry for this profound loss. I've noticed at times that a deep concern for others is a masking of struggles within ourselves. May your friend rest in peace.
Alan H.
October 4, 2007 5:36 PM
I, too, knew Steve from long ago in college. Every time I'd see him, we'd just look at each other and laugh - at the absurdity of life, and how stupid it was that we didn't get together more often. I didn't know how much I'd miss him until now.
October 16, 2007 2:02 PM
Steve's death is a surely a great loss to his friends, but more importantly to those that hadn't had the privilege to meet and know him yet. As noted in a Holland Sentinel prayer in honor of his life, he embodied the very spirit a town should aspire to. What a privilege to have known him for 41 years! He was my first friend when I moved to Holland. I will treasure his memory always.
October 16, 2007 2:40 PM
I was introduced to Steve many years ago by my now ex-husband-he and Steve were best friends in college. I hadn't seen Steve in many years but I will always remember kidding him that if anything ever happened to my husband that I would want him to take his place. I loved Steve so much! I can't believe that I just now found out that he had passed away. What a sweet loving man he was! Kris M.
March 27, 2008 3:04 PM
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