The year 2022 started out with the promise of the end of the COVID-19 global pandemic but quickly showed us the doorstep of World War III with the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th. As it comes to a close, I look back at all the events that took place this year. Some predictable, others not, like my diagnosis with stage-IV prostate cancer in July, and the shocking, though not too surprising tragic death of my son, Mitchell, in the Kansas City area only 2 weeks after my diagnosis.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Special
To the Living!
So often in the past, these posts have been regarding the loss of someone.
This one’s about those that are still around.
Happy 45th Kim!
Today marks 45 years since the birth of my sister though she didn’t survive past the age of 15.
Kimberly Susan Dowell – Photograph from wedding reception of Stephen and Nichole, Plano, TX, May 5, 1985.
Grampa Smith’s Civil War Documents
![Application for discharged soldiers' county bounty - Affidavit of Samuel B. Smith, for Samuel B. Smith [FRONT]](https://mlydewzthwfa.i.optimole.com/w:auto/h:auto/q:mauto/ig:avif/f:best/https://stephendowell.com/blogosphericaljournalization/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/12/Front.jpg)
Application for discharged soldiers’ county bounty – Affidavit of Samuel B. Smith, for Samuel B. Smith [FRONT]
I ventured upon these images from the Ball State University Digital Media Repository of Delaware County Civil War Resources, these photocopied documents issued to Samuel B. Smith – my Great, Great, Grandfather.
Continue reading25 year Commemoration
Kim & Ethan – Homecoming, 1985
Click on image for presentation.
Photographs and newspaper article clippings from our family collection provided a source for much of this presentation created by the editors at TheStarPress commemorating twenty-five years since the event.
Steve D.
George Smedinghoff ~ Tribute
The news of George’s passing knocked the wind out of me. We went to High School, College, worked, bowled, played cards, went to the gym, studied together … the list goes on and on. I had recently been thinking about him and was intending to get in contact with him since we have been out of touch over the last few years.
Another of life’s lessons re-learned, life is way too short. Don’t procrastinate when it comes to the ones that are important to you.
Hats Off My Friend!
Steve D.