Stephen Jude 
   Valencia Jr.
  July 15, 1991 - October 27, 2005



      
This website was created in memory of our loved one, Stephen Valencia, who was born in New Mexico on July 15, 1991 and went to be with our Lord on October 27, 2005, at the age of 14, surrounded by his loving family. Stephen will remain in our hearts forever. STEPHEN JUDE HIDALGO VALENCIA JR., 14, of La Mesilla passed away Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005,  from complications of Pulmonary Hypertension.
 Stephen was the son of Steve Sr. and Yvette Valencia, owners of Valencia Handy-man Services. He attended Pojoaque Elementary School and Espanola District Schools, and was a student in McCurdy at the time of his death. He was active with the Apostolic Revival Tabernacle and Zion Youth Worship Group. He was a member of and was supported by the High Desert Breathers, PAH support group.
    He is survived by his parents, Stephen H. Sr. and Yvette S. Valencia of La Mesilla; sisters, Ana Alicia Valencia, Sarah Amber Valencia, and Gracie Marie Valencia; close nephew, Marcus Isaiah Valencia; and many other relatives and friends.



 










 


Stephen's Letter from Home;
To my family, It was hard to say goodbye because I love you all so much! I was just tired. Jesus talked with me the other day! So the strongest, special, picked angel came with just a few moments of pain and carried me gently to the hands of the Great almighty Lord.... The one my daddy and mommy told me about. Now I understand why my parents took me to church when I was up to go. Dad and Mom, right there my heart was new and my lungs had all the oxygen they needed! There at the gates met my loved ones who had gone before me. "Guess what? You wouldn't believe it, I saw my dalmatian dogs." Mom, tell dad they aren't lost anymore. I got to go swimming in the deepest blue lake with water falling like crystal clear, like from the mountains at home. I got to go to that city you all talked about. They said it was bigger than New York. Dad, the finest of our military from home escorted me there! I get to go visit the newest of history that's going to happen by the greatest of our teachers like my Dad, Pastor Velasquez, Pastor John, and my Grandpa Elmer. My family, I have to go. I am excited, but please tell dad to keep teaching the word. Anna, keep on fighting for what is right and you know, take care of the girls and my buddy MarKus! Sarah, keep on smiling and I love you! Gracie, take care of mommy and daddy, I love you little one! Mommy, I am okay! I love you! I got to go... Stephen 













Stephen has certainly graced all of us with his warm spirit, kindness, and glowing smile. The realization that his journey through this life has ended is both shocking and devastating for everyone that knew him. This site is intended to be a place for Stephen's vast network of family and friends to memorialize him. Please feel free to post your condolences on the page, light a candle, and, if possible, contribute any stories, poems, photos, or videos about him. In order to pay tribute, please click on the Tributes & Condolences tab above. May God grant you comfort, as we all mourn the tremendous loss.








A child that loses a parent is an orphan,
A man who loses a wife is a widower,
A woman who loses her husband is a widow,
There is no name for a parent who loses a child,
For there is no word to describe the pain...







May this candle shine on forever my son...We love
and miss you.












IF TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME....  

If tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me…as much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready in heaven far above,
And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I’d always thought, I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday just even for a while,
I’d say good-bye and kiss you, and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized that this could never be,
For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly thing I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven’s gates I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled & at me from
His great golden throne,
He said, “This is eternity and all I’ve promised you..
Today your life on earth is past but here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow but today will always last,
And since each day’s the same way there’s no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful, so trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn’t do.
But you have been forgiven and now at last you’re free.
So won’t you come and take my hand and share my life with me? “
So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me, I’m right here, in your heart.
Author: unknown










     Remembering you always, each and every day...

A new day begins and ends with you in our thoughts...



 
           
Thank you all for visiting Stephen's 
memorial page...   

  
Please continue to visit and may God bless 
you all.....





  There is more below...







Happy 4th of July Stephen!!!















Happy Birthday Son!!!


 

              



         
About my Little Brother

Wow well where I can start with the beautiful memories that I have of my 14 yr old lil brother Stephen Jude Valencia. Actually my lil brother was more like my big brother ………. Literally (lol) he was my Big brother, not only was he my protector but he was taller than me, and he grew a lil more everyday and did he make sure to remind me of that. Everyday he would always tell me “You’re short Ana” but whenever I was wearing heels I would always tell him “look whose taller now lil bro”. And that’s exactly my relationship with my brother we would always mess around, He was my buddy. Ask my mom, or really the one to ask is my sister Sarah lol, they know the great team me and Stephen made. Stephen was so easy to get a long with he didn’t care whether you were black, white, or brown. He was such a sweetheart he had the biggest heart what ever the situation was you could always talk to him about it. He had so many friends, new friends ,old friends and whether you went to 1st or 2nd grade with him, or you met him even just one time he still remembered and cared about you. That’s why he was so excited to go back to school he just wanted to be around other kids. He wanted to go back to Pojoaque so bad to be around all his old classmates but when he found out he couldn’t go ya he was disappointed but when he started school at McCurdy High school he was so excited. Actually he loved it there. He met so many new friends, that knew old friends and he was just so happy that it kind of was just a big circle of friends. My brother loved to just be a socializer but I know where he gets it from because I am the same way like brother, like sister. Another thing that my brother loved was God. He loved to go to church, and there were two churches that were very special to him. Apostolic Revival Tabernacle and Zion Worship Center. And of course he especially loved the youth. And he was a big part of it.
My brother was the strongest 14 yr old I have ever known and when I say strong I don’t mean lifting weights (even though he always did). He has been through a lot so much medicine, doctors and hospitals thru out his life but never once did I hear my brother complain. He never wanted any one to worry about him he always stayed strong spiritually, mentally and physically. I mean of course it was a drag being in the hospital a lot, come on though who actually likes the hospital. OK well I trake that back just a lil bit, now that I think about it he was starting to like one thing about it , all the pretty blonde nurses that took care of him but that’s the normal teenager that my brother was.
Stephen was a big part of my life. When my son was born he was just the proudest uncle. He was so happy that he finally got to spend time with another male in the house. I wouldn’t blame him living with four girls isn’t easy. But regardless he still loved us. He helped me out so much. I admire my brother a lot even though he is younger than me he was my role model.He had the exact personality and love that I wish I had but there will never be one , he was special. I could go on and on forever about how my brother has touched my life and im sure not only mine buit a whole lot of other peoples lives to but I wont because the only thing you have to do is just know and think of Stephen and your heart will already be touched.
I just want to thank god for giving me the chance to have Stephen as my brother. Stephen I LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART SEE YOU SOON LIL BROTHER.  Love Ana



                       
             
             My one wish in life!!

One day I was walking down the street when I heard voice, it was God. God told me, Anthony, "I will give you one wish in life" what would it be? I thought very hard and thought why me? But I knew I couldn't ask why. The first thing that came into my head was Stephen!!! I thought how cool would it be to have him right next to me for one whole day. I then asked God may I have my cousin back for one whole day? That would be awesome!!! God told me you may have your wish my son. Then the voice was gone and nothing happened. I was not sure how or when I would get to see him. I went on with my morning and went to play some football. I looked for Stephen there but no he was not there! I was sad so I decided to go home to eat breakfast. When I got home the sun rays were shining on my house ever so bright. I was in shock how beautiful it was. So I was going to my room to change into some shorts and to my surprise Stephen was on my top bunk bed playing my X-Box. I saw him but I was scared then he saw me and said, "What's up little bro?" I ran to hug him and wasn't sure if I was the only one to see him. I was so excited that I cried but they were tears of joy and happiness!!! I ran to tell my brother cause he was asleep and he hit me and told me to leave him alone and close the door. I went back to my room to see if Stephen would go tell my brother because he thinks I am crazy. Stephen was gone but then I heard Art yelling so I ran back to my brothers room to see if he was ok. Stephen had already gone to wake Art up and he did wake him up with a scare but then he was so happy it was so nice to be all together again!!! I wanted to call everyone but first I knew we are not to make long distant calls but this was an EMERGENCY!!!! Would you believe

I couldn't even remember no ones number I was still in shock! I knew my mom was coming home from work soon. Stephen asked for the rest of the gang..Only we knew who that was. That was me, Art, Deangelo, Michael, Jude, and Stephen. That was our gang! I told Stephen well make a plan and call the gang to meet up at Stephen's house. I knew Uncle Steve and Auntie Yvette and the girls were going to freak out so we have to make it a surprise. By that time my mom came home and knew something was up because of the rays of light on the house. My mom opened the door and saw Stephen in the living room and started freaking out! I told her he was real and that God gave him to me for one whole day. Do you think she let him go? No she squeezed him so tight and did not want to let him go. She finally did and was so happy it was nice to be that happy again with Stephen here with us. When Dave woke up he gave Stephen a big nougie on his head and told him he knew he would be back! Then we went to Espanola and tried to make a quiet surprise. We had called the gang to meet us because we had a HUGE surprise for all of them!!! We got to Stephen's house in about 3 min. I am not sure how, I think we had some wings!! Uncle Steve was working on the house when we got there. He told us to come in he was on the roof. Stephen got out and opened the gate for us and Uncle Steve stood up and fell back and when he fell back Stephen caught him in his arms and told him I will take care of you now Dad! Uncle was crying and so happy to have his son back with him. He asked no questions he was too excited. The girls and auntie came out screaming to hug him and so did the gang!! Now we were all together like it should be. Then it got dark the day was almost over and I did not know how to tell everyone that I only had him for one day. I knew I had to tell them so everyone could say goodbye. I told everyone but they were ok with that they knew he had to go back home with God. Stephen then told us all he had to go home and was thankful to have another day to see us all. Then Stephen started looking see through almost like an angel and his wings came out from his back and he flew away. He said as he left he will watch over all of us and take care of all of us and that one day we will be together forever. That was the best day of my life. That night when I was saying my prayers I thanked God for my wish! God heard my prayers and answered them. Thank you God!!!! Anthony 
(This was a real wish I had....It was given to me in a dream.)





The Emergency that changed my life..
By: Arthur

The worst day of my life started out to be a normal day with my family. I wish I could say the same for it's ending! By the end of the day I know to never take anything for granted.
I woke up half asleep and extremely tired as always. I took a warm shower to wake up and felt rejuvenated afterwards. I got dressed feeling very excited to get out of the house. When I finished clothing myself, my mom, brother, and I went out to eat a scrumcious meal.
After we devoured our delicious meal, we went to enjoy a movie at the theaters. We stayed for a full movie, which was a very emotional movie for all of us. Something to me was just not right. I had a serious sad feeling in my heart but wasn't sure if it was just the movie we had just watched. When the movie was over my mom was hesitant to go home and feeling a little sad, we quietly sneeked into another movie. After about 15 minutes my mom's cell did not stop ringing. To be polite she went outside to check her messages.When she came back in she was crying, We were devastated, she told us we had to leave right then and there.
My brother and I were both feeling horrible in our stomachs not knowing what was wrong. When we reached the parking lot my mother broke down and told us the devastating news, my cousin, my best friend had just passed away. We were all in shock and all of the emotions rolled through my head. I could not believe my friend, my only friend who truly understood me was gone. All I wanted was to curl up right then and die inside. I had to be strong not only for my mom but for my brother. Stephen was a part of my family, a part of me was gone. Who do I tell, what do I do? I never felt the pain that I felt in that moment. I knew he was sick and had been sick but never die. My feeling inside was disbelief and in a way, denile. My cousin, my friend had gone home. I knew in my heart he was ok now but the feelings of sadness and emptiness will be forever  installed in my heart.
Stephen had many medical problems and was hospitalized often. Stephen always pulled through. Doctors gave Stephen six months to live when he was two years old but he lived for twelve more glorious years. Stephen went home, he went home to watch over us without pain.
The death of my friend, my cousin caused me to realize that Life is a privilege and also that tomorrow is not promised to anyone........I love you bro! You will be missed in more ways than anyone will ever know!