Nothing is as unimaginable as the death of a child. Whether the child is very young, or the loss is of an adult child, it is a parent’s most awful nightmare. It’s difficult to find the words to convey what everyone will be feeling and unlike the death of an older person, it’s hard to feel that you can really “celebrate” so young a life; the inevitable sense of premature loss precludes it. What many people facing this particular challenge often forget is that it’s perfectly alright to let the emotion show, in what you say and how you say it. Frankly, for many of us, it would be impossible not to – but you don’t have to feel bad about it; a sincere tear can say as much as any well-chosen word. Example: Although Steffanno was only with us for such a very short time, he had a huge personality and it was hard not to notice him, small as he was. That’s one of the things that makes his sudden loss so very difficult to come to terms with – you always felt that he was going to be a fun child to watch growing up. Knowing that isn’t going to happen is very hard to accept. I’m sure many of us here have our special memories of him; At a time like this, there are so many different feelings – despair, anger, sorrow, confusion – and so many questions. Why did it happen? Why Steffanno?

Amid all that, our hearts go out to Matthew and Ana and Steffanno's siblings/grandparents/other relatives and their close friends for the great burden that they bear today and will continue to bear in the coming days. Today, it’s difficult to even begin to talk of “comfort” – but in the months and years ahead, as we remember little Steffanno I hope we’ll all gain strength from realizing, as we look back on his/her life, just how much of an effect he had on us in the short time we knew him and what a little Super hero Steffanno was. However awful we're feeling right now we've got to remember how Steffanno has helped some desperately unhappy people through one of the worst days of their lives. He is at peace and his suffering is over. It was hard not to love him. And it was hard not to be inspired by him. Going to a funeral is sad. Going to a child's funeral is just wrong on every level. Will we leave here sad and grieving and maybe even a little bit pissed at God? Probably.

If we've ever been sure of anything, it is this: Steffanno was sent here to this Earth to work through us to inspire others. To change people. To open people's hearts to endless possibilities. To inspire hope and healing in even the hopeless. It can also be difficult to focus on this enormous undertaking because we are consumed with grief. Steffanno fought a brave battle. People say the brain tumor beat Steffanno, but we beg to differ. Steffanno beat that brain tumor with so much strength that you'd think he was older than his age.

The thing that made him hold on the longest was his big sister, Layla Cox. She was one of the best big sisters he ever could have had and we're eternally grateful for her because, without her, Steffanno wouldn't have been able to stay happy and positive. Steffanno will be forever missed. Hopefully, he is walking around with Ethyn and Jesus. We love you Steffanno -The Melendentoriyeh/Villalobos Family-