Stephen G. Kovaly

Dear Fran and family
I can’t begin to tell you how very sorry I am for your loss. The girls called me as I was on vacation and told me the news. I was shocked and devastated at the same time. It was a great honor and privelidge to be apart of Steves care. I looked forward to seeing both of you on each visit. You were and always will be one of the cutest couples I have ever known. Your love and dedication for each other was evident. Steves courage and positive outlook was always showing with each and every visit. Steve will always be a cherished memory of mine. Please know we are here for you. Feel my love and hugs.
Your nurse and friend
Barbie

Dearest Fran and family,
Wish we could be there to comfort all of you at this awful time. Steve will be remembered as a thoughtful, loving person.
With our love and sorrow,
Frank and Cheryl

During the time Barbara and I were struggling with her cancer, you provided me/us with warm words of encouragement and support.

I wish that I could do so much the same for you now, but words just do not seem to meet the need.

Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Steve & Barbara

I received this email from Steve Thurs. the 15th. We haven’t talked in a while, but when we did it was meaningful. He knew about my husband’s cancer and was supportive. I did not know that his had returned. I feel humbled that he thought of sending this to me and a few others on his last day, but this little story about how we should be living our lives is a tribute to him and the way he lived his. I am a textbook clerk at East High. I am lucky to have known him. May God bless you all in your healing.
This is what he sent:

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee…You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up; she was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ‘ Tell me what you see.’

‘Carrots, eggs, and coffee,’ she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, ‘What does it mean, mother?’

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

‘Which are you?’ she asked her daughter. ‘When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

Remember: When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you’re the one who is smiling an

My friend, my friend, my very good friend. I will miss you.

Semper Fi

‘doc’

Steve was such a very special person. Even at times when life was personally hard or discouraging he remained the same kind, optimistic, always friendly and helpful person. He was a pleasure and inspiration to know, and will be greatly missed.

Steve, you were a great friend and mentor. It was great working with you and nowing you and your family. I will always remember CHEEEEKTOWAAAAAAGA a little differently than everyone else.

Steve,I WILL MISS OUR MORNING TALKS, BOWLING, AND BEING YOUR FRIEND.
jIM

Uncle Greg,
I am so glad that my brothers and I were able to see you just last weekend. That family reunion didn’t come at any better of a time. I hope you know that you will be missed by so many but we are so happy to know that you are finally in the arms of God and free of any pain.
I love and miss you so much already.
Love always,
Your neice Justin

FRAN PLEASE TELL ME HOW I CAN CONTACT YOU PLEASE????? THANK YOU VINCE SPANISH