Friday

6:40 am my daughter was told I had come home in the night.  She ran in my room waking me up and folded into my arms.  I kissed her and held her for a few moments.  She then started asking me about how to put videos on discs because she had an assignment to turn in.  My mommy guilt for being gone so long kicked in and I asked her if she wanted me to show her.  I got up and headed towards my office. Jeff brought me a cup of coffee fixed just the way I like it and I started the disk.  My cell phone began to ring and my blood went cold.

The name on the caller ID?  Steve Veatch
Cindy?  Betty inquired and my heart began to hurt.  "He's gone" she said.  "Our Steve is gone." I was trying to hold myself and I bent over at the feeling in my stomach and I felt like the air had been sucked out of my lungs.  "I tried to call your Grandma but she didn't answer.  I am going to call her back now.  NO!  Don't call her Betty (I pleaded as I got on my clothes).  I'll go wake her up.   Please don't tell her on the phone."  I kissed my husband and walked out the door.

I went to Grandmas neighbor and got her key.  I let myself into our old back door and walked through the washroom.  As I entered the doorway, Grandma said "thank you for calling and put down the phone"  I could see by her face it was the Hospice.  She knew.  Her baby was dead.


My grandmother aged that day.  Parents everywhere understand you should not have to bury your child. 
I spent the morning with her making calls and arrangements and writing his obituary.

Steven Carl Veatch Obituary

LAS VEGAS NEVADA--Steven Carl Veatch, 48, Las Vegas Nevada, formerly of Logan, passed away at dawn on Friday May 20, 2011 in Las Vegas of complications due to cancer.  He was born on November 17, 1962 in Pocotello, Idaho to Frank and Patricia Veatch.  Steve was raised in Logan attending Logan schools, graduating from Logan High and Hollywood School of Cosmetology.  He had some good, close friends in the Logan area, Eric, Mike, Doug, Don, Troi, Judd, Jared and Suebear.  He worked at the old old Smiths Food King at the lunch counter (how old is THAT memory) and enjoyed serving his “regular” coffee drinkers. He thought they were a hoot.  When he worked at Whispers Floral, his creativity in his flower arrangements was always inspiring and he really put his heart in it to give joy and delight to the recipients.  He performed in the Pickleville Playhouse at Bear Lake for two summers with his sister, Ann and at the Festival of the American West performances at the Spectrum.

He left the area and moved to Las Vegas where he continued to live, laugh, and love for the next 25 years living with his best friend, Betty Clark.  He worked in the Golden Nugget casino until his illnesses forced his retirement.  He was a surrogate father figure to Betty’s sons, Rashard(Teangela), Mikie, and Eskin.  He went on to be “Mr. Mom” to seven beautiful and wonderful children from the time they were newborn babies, Sa,lina, Allysa, Dynelle, Dominque, Marquise, Zion, and Aliyah.  One of his great joys was cooking and creating new dishes.  We often told him he could be a professional chef but, he said that would ruin the joy of cooking.  He always went the extra mile and was a steady source of support to all who knew him.  He loved to laugh and spent many hours, days (months & years) fixing up the home that he and Betty shared.  He was a beautiful soul.  How do you condense someone’s life into these small sentences?  How do you give enough honor? Today our hearts are breaking.  We love him so.

He enjoyed a special relationship with his Niece, Cindy.  Over the years, they spent countless hours together listening to music, talking, drinking cocktails and “Monster” cooking. They laughed together and cried together.  It was a special connection that cannot be replaced or replicated.  

He is survived by his mother, Patricia Veatch.  His brothers, Craig Nielsen, Bob (Gay)Nielsen, Tab (Carolyn) Nielsen, and Frank (Kay)Veatch and his sister, Nancy Ann Nielsen.  Betty Clark, her sons, Rashard Miller, Mikie (Jocolyn) Woods and Eskin Edward and their babies, Cindy (Jeff)Maughan, friends Eric Peterson & Larry. His “babies” (dogs) Natasha and Maxine. He was loved by numerous Aunts Uncles cousins nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his dad, Frank, Sr. and his beloved friend, Paul.  A graveside service to bury his ashes will be performed June 17 2011 when his family can gather to honor his life.  God rest his soul.