Goodbye, Poppy

I was talking with one of my close friends yesterday and he asked me if I was speaking today. I said I didn’t know, and that for the past 2 days every time someone has asked me about my father-in-law, I got so choked up I couldn’t talk.

To which he said, look – that should tell you everything right there. Most people don’t even have that kind of relationship with their in-laws. And I’m glad he pointed that out. Although I called Steve my father-in-law, he was definitely more like a father.

Steve Chase was one of the most unique and talented men I have known. Like an artist who has the ability to look at a blank canvas and see a beautiful picture, so too could Steve look at the most decrepit room or house and envision an elegant interior design setting. He had that talent. He took both pride and pleasure in his work, and if you know what to look for, you will see his designs all over the world.

I used to think that I have a very strong work ethic, but Steve put me to shame, utter shame. No workday was too long, no hour too late – Steve was working.

And Steve was selfless man. All of his hard work and success was not for himself, he lived fairly modestly. Everything was for his family, which he placed above all else. Granted he owned beautiful houses, but that was because he designed and furnished them himself. He didn’t drive fancy new cars or buy expensive things, as he was not concerned about keeping up with the Joneses.

And Steve’s talents didn’t stop with design; he was also a gifted storyteller. Some of you are smiling right now because admittedly, Steve could sometimes be verbose. But he always captivated his listener. His attention to detail was extraordinary, such that you could envision perfectly what he was describing, and you felt like you were actually there experiencing it with him.

I hope that some of his talents are imparted on my own children. Steve lived his life on his own terms, and marched to the beat of his own drummer. In that sense, I think we could all learn something from him – I know I have.

We love you, as Taylor would say, “to the sun and back”

RIP