Monday, April 18, 2022
My husband Michael and I will be forever grateful for the 4 years our son Elijah had with Steve. From 1st through 4th grade Steve was one of Eli’s greatest champions, protectors, teachers, translators, and guides. He welcomed him outside the school each morning and handed him back to our family at the end of the day. When Eli took Steve’s hand and walked into the building we knew he was in good hands. Steve definitely helped Eli to grow into the confident and outgoing young man that he is today — which is no small feat for a little boy with autism who could barely talk when he met Steve in 1st grade.
Steve was so genuinely proud of Eli every step of the way these last four years and we know this gave Eli the confidence to keep fighting and growing. Steve was by his side for all of his accomplishments and also some pretty messy, tearful meltdowns. He was always steady and calm, quietly holding space for whatever Eli was going through on any given day.
Steve made the world outside of our family a safe and loving place for our son, a place that he learned to trust in despite how overwhelming the world often can be for him.
We hope that our message of gratitude to Steve reaches his family and friends at this very difficult time. Thank you for sharing him with our family. Eli is growing into a remarkable young man who is talkative, full of ideas and hopes, and who trusts in the world around him. It has been such a gift this year to see Eli tumble out of the car in the morning like any other typical 4th grader, wave goodbye to us, and give just a quick knowing glance to Steve as he joins his classmates on the playground. Their unspoken bond was so very special and the smile on Steve’s face as he quietly watched over our son in the mornings is a memory we will hold in our hearts. Steve Goetsch’s impact on Eli’s life is undeniable and such a tremendous gift. Our hope is that Eli grows up to be a young man who carries Steve’s patience and kindness in his heart and gives it back to those who he encounters in his own life, keeping Steve’s memory alive in the world for decades to come.
May his memory be a blessing.
