Thank you for visiting Stephanie's memorial site!  I've just begun working on it.  Also, please take a moment and sign the guestbook.  Thanks for stopping by!  Come back soon! 

Stephanie Elaine Trujillo Keck died from injuries sustained in an ATV accident on Sunday, August 9, 2009 @ 10:55am.

Stephanie was born on April 29, 1981 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She was full of compassion and love for everyone.  She had a gift of joy that brought humor and love into all her relationships.

Stephanie's life was a story of tragedy and triumph.  Although her freedom was cut short by this tragic accident, she died clean and sober.  She had finally claimed victory over the dark throes of drug addiction, which controlled her life from a very young age.  She was on her way to a new life full of hope and promise.

Stephanie credited her sobriety to the Midwest Mission Bible Training Center in Cresco, Iowa where she made many steadfast friends and found a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Upon her return to Casper, she maintained her sobriety by becoming active in Celebrate Recovery, sponsored by Highland Park Community Church. 

Her past had become her greatest asset in offering hope and encouragement to those still in bondage to the darkness of addiction. 

Right under her love for God was her love for her children.  She was working hard to reunite with them as a whole mother and repair the damage caused in their young lives by a life of drugs and violence. 

"Why now?" is the whispered question offered up to the universe.  The answer is inadequate, but powerful, as our Creator whispers back, "Trust me."

Jasmine's owl

Stephanie died on a Sunday morning.  That night, Amanda, Curtis, Cindy and I sat under the redneck patio, smoking....oh, around midnight.   All of a sudden, a wild bird flies under the roof of the patio and in between my high back lawn chair and my neck to get to my other shoulder and lands on it. 

Freaked me out!  I'm sure I truamatized the bird!

Next day.  Same people.  Same patio.  Curtis is standing by the hummingbird feeder when a hummingbird feeds within inches of his face.  It then perches on a nearby branch.  Maybe no big deal, except we hadn't had a hummingbird before and haven't had one since. 

So....a few weeks later, I am sitting in the front enjoying the afternoon sun, visiting with a friend.  I just finished telling her about the birds when an owl lands on the light pole at the end of our driveway.  As we sat there in awe over the owl, another owl lands on the next light pole.

Then, one Sunday, before I was walking out the door, 7yr old Jasmine comes to me and says, "Grandma, look at the bird on a pole I drew and cut out."  She didn't know what an owl was.  She can't free hand draw very well at all.

Amanda and Jennifer reminded me of the time, in 2008, when Stephanie said if she died, she would send birds.

This is the "crash site".  Curtis' work made this huge cross.  He painted it red and Cindy and her sisters wrote, "OUR BELOVED SISTER"  with Stephanie's name and dates.

Stephanie's brother-Curtis, her dad-Ron and her children- erecting the cross the day of the memorial service...Mariah, age 8, Jasmine, age 6, Jonathon age 5.

At first I visited the crash site everyday (for about three months).  Now I go a few times a month. 

Finally home! 6-23-09

Taken the day after she arrived home from Iowa and the rehab center.  It's the first time she saw her children in two years.

None of us knew where they were for over a year.  When we found them, it took every ounce of strentgh Stephanie had (and a lot that God had) for her to finish her 8 month commitment to the treatment program. 

But, getting her kids back, depended on her success.  So, she stayed.  We were all so proud of her!!

Hurray Stephanie!!

angel on our tree

Our first Christmas without Stephanie on this side of the veil.

Angel watching over us

First Christmas with Stephanie's children and without Stephanie. 

It wasn't as hard as Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving was much more difficult.  But, we had so much to be grateful for this Christmas!  We believe Stephanie had a huge hand in bringing our family together, to include Kevin!

One year later....8-9-10

Always in our hearts.

I should have said it sooner. I should have said it better.

I should have made it personal, instead of a public letter.

I tried to keep a list of gifts given with love and support;

For alas, there were many, which helped buoy our broken hearts.

You sent a card in remembrance or phoned to say you cared.

Many of you sent money or fl owers or food for us to share.

You made blankets for her children or sent them a note to cheer.

We were given a scrapbook of memories so they would remember her.

You cut your vacation short so you could offi ciate her service.

You drove fourteen hundred miles to bring her sister to us.

You touched a child’s cheek, before you sang your song,

When she looked at you in innocence, and asked why her mommy was gone.

Yes, I wish I’d said it sooner to you individually,

But, the pain was so intense; I couldn’t get off my knees.

I begged and pleaded for wisdom, to understand God’s plan;

Barely able to function, but doing the best one can.

It’s the most painful of experiences, I don’t exaggerate;

It’s also the most spiritual as we leaned upon God’s grace.

You held our hands in silence and listened as we cried.

We wouldn’t have made it without you, the day my daughter died.

Your compassion in friendship and service

helped us see God’s love anew.

This little poem is inadequate as we simply say, thank you.

“Thank you.”