Thanks
for the reminder that if it's
not fun, you're not doing it right.
Don
P.
Denver, CO
Sorry for your loss Steve. What a great person Lue sounds like.
Jenna Boonzaaijer
Colorado Springs, CO
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not
be faint." Isa. 40.31
Lue-- I am fairly certain dancing is included in that list, too.
Rhonda West
Aurora, CO
Friend, acquaintence
rwest@clainc.org
Seeing Lue happy, dancing @ CLA functions, and most of all
enjoying his musical key board that he danced on @ one time. Knowing
he loved Elvis. His harmonica, just because my father plays the
harmonica.
Sand7 Goode
Maugansville, Maryland, USA
I felt like I knew Lue through Steve. He will be sorely missed.
Ruth
Tiger
ruth.tiger@gmail.com
We were there in Lue's early days out of the institution and he became
our
protege in the group home days--our special friend. We loved Lue, and
though
we hadn't seen him for many years, we still love him and will miss his
presence here. I tried to capture his essence in my book--he was a
worthy
subject, a wonderful person, and he has touched so many lives thanks to
all
of those who've cared for him and loved him.
Lori Zenak
Arvada,
CO
Lue,
when I walked into your home on Monday it hit me that you were not there, and you
would never be there again. Each time I would go to Steve's in the 20 years I have
known him you were always there. As a matter of fact there were few times that I
saw Steve when you were not right by his side, down in your room, or on the dance
floor. I loved to dance with you! You were a fabulous dancer and you never got
tired!! You taught me about lifes simplicity. Just watching you be Lue. Even though
there would be great time spans between times that I would get to see you I was
always looked forward to seeing you and playing with you. You will be missed. Thank
you for blessing us with your time here on earth. I am sure you are surrounded by
beautiful woman and in the center of the dance floor right now. ; )
Steve, Shari and Heather,
I am soooo sorry for your loss. You are a wonderful family and I have watched in awe
over the years as you have held on to each other when it counts. Hold on to each
other now, I know you just lost one of your own. I will hold you all up in prayer
and do whatever I can to help. God bless you and thank you for giving Lue such a
wonderful family and such a wonderful life.
Love and Blessings,
Lori Zenak
Deb Zorno
Aurora
Friend
Lue,
the house seems so quiet without you here. I will miss your funny little walk
that you had and you coming home from Day Program to tell me that you had a good
day. We saw alot together in the little time that we had. You shared the Grand
Canyon with me for my first time. I will never forget you dancing with Elvis and
how happy you were.
Most of all, I will miss your beautiful smile that lit up
the world.
Deb Zorno
Karen Dehmlow
Denver, CO
Family Living Project
karen.dehmlow@gmail.com
The "few" things that Lue taught you truly capture the essence of what we all should strive to simplify our lives. The world would be a better place if we could learn from the lessons of Lue!
Thank you for opening your families door so many years ago to Lue and keeping your hearts open to embrace and love on him for so long. I hurt for you and your loss.
Jim Buckland
Portage, MI
I met Lue (Mr. L.) through Steve, my friend. From hearing of their
travels, adventures, and ups and downs, I knew how much each meant to
each other and those around them. In this time of loss, remembering all
of the joy, love, affection and warmth helps to sustain.
God Bless.
Rhonda & Kerry
I remember Lue as "the rock" around which everything else moved and
changed. He was always kind, always joyful and gave Alan and
Ruthie much joy, as well. Working in the office of Tiger
Residential Programs, I didn't get to know any of the clients as well
as I would have liked, but since Lue and Eric and Don and a few others
were also living in the duplex next to Alan & Ruthie, I got
early
exposure to these incredible individuals. Lue's words or
phrases
for things really tickled me: Allie Geiger for Alan Tiger,
and
Big Green Gobber for Christmas tree. After reading Ruthie's
book,
my thoughts turned to Lue and the others. How wonderful to be
reconnected to his physical world. I beg to differ about his
current status though--he is dancing and laughing and singing at the
top of his voice!! Thanks for sharing, Steve.
from Rhonda
Tiger, Alan's sister and office worker in 1982-1984 at Tiger
Residential Programs
Melissa
V.
Hi Steve,
I am sorry for you loss.
He always had a smile to
share. One of those innocent kind that
cause you to linger, pause, and realize there is a moment to slow down,
stop rushing around and just smile.
With Love,
Melissa V.
Jerry and Judy Johnson
Aurora, Colorado, USA
Lue and Steve's Neighbors
E-Mail=jj@housewarmingparty.com
Dear Lue,
Thank you for touching the lives of everyone who you came in contact
with and for your generous spirit! We will meet again in heaven, where
we will not be tied and bound by our earthly bodies, with its weeknesses
and limitations but instead soar like angels!
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven!"
Matthew 5:12
And to the many whom remain and left behind I would like to comfort you
with the 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Your Friends and Neighbors,
Jerry and Judy Johnson
Barb Kenyon-Mohrlang
Aurora, Colorado
Community Living Alternatives, Inc.
It's impossible to not have a smile come across your face when you think of Lue! What a great gift he had to make people smile and
laugh and feel loved.
Lue's dancing was contagious! If you wanted to get people out on the dance floor, make sure Lue was there to get it all started! And to
keep it going until the end!
When Lue was around, it was so easy to be in the moment and feel his enthusiasm for life! So many gifts he gave to all of those whose lives
he touched on a regular basis and those who met him just once. How amazing to be able to impact people the way he did!
I feel blessed to have been touched by Lue's life. And he was blessed to have lived with Steve, Shari and Heather for so many years. Even
though Lue wasn't born into this family, there is no doubt that it is with these loving individuals that he was destined to find his home.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time.
Bob
Dougherty
Littleton, CO.
Lue knew I was Santa Claus. We talked of Reindeer.
He knew
all eight plus Rudolph.
Mr. and Mrs. Ted LaWall and Family
Parker Colorado
Nephew of Steve
Lawalldonna@gmail.com
Lue always had a smile when we had the chance to visit. He was a warm and loving man who made this world a much brighter place.
Although we did not have the oppertunity to see him alot in the past few years he was often thought of and remembered in warm and loving ways.
We know his place in Heaven was made many years ago. God held a special garden just for Lue. He will be missed.
Sharon Wandler
Langley Washington USA
Friend of Steve's
Wandlers@Whidbey.com
I never knew Lue......I only knew Steve's stories and his
expressions of love for Lue, which spoke volumes of the character of the
man loved.
Thank you for your stories, Steve, and thank you for loving and caring
for such a special human being who touched so many lives.
You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.
Warmest Regards always,
Sharoon
Tracey Bloxham
CLA - Aurora CO
Co-worker!
tbloxham@clainc.org
Beautiful and true writing Steve. Your family and Lue are
blessed to be such a huge part of each other's life and heart.
David Hartley
Family
<davidasleep@gmail.com>
A tiny piece of paper,
Taped up,
On a vacant,
Basement wall,
Checkered color squares,
Of blues,
Reds and greens,
Memories,
Etched on the edges,
Of beautiful smile,
Falling into,
One,
Last memory,
Called Lue.
- David Lee Hartley
Flagstaff, Arizona