About Stephaine

Stephaine is the co-founder of "A Mission Of Love".

After she was diagnosed with cancer in December 2014 it turned our world upside down. I remember constantly asking if there was anyone my wife or I could speak with. I think we just felt alone and was looking for someone to talk to. Steph and I were talking about a way we could reach out to help others. So nobody would ever have to feel alone, like we did.

Honestly, I can't remember the time frame that we came up with the idea to start this website. I think it was only a few days after we discussed it. I asked Steph if this was really something she wanted to do and she said yes.

It's not a surprise that she wanted to do this. That's just the kind of person she was. Steph always worried more about others, than she did herself. Instead of being scared, or saying why me. Her focus shifted to worrying about her brother, my wife and I.

We talked about goals and what we wanted to accomplish. I felt we needed a website and she quickly replied...

"You build websites”. I told her that this would be a team project and we would both have input on developing a website. The mission we had or you could call them our goals. That was already in place. I asked her what is one thing she wanted most on the website and she replied "blue". I had to ask what do you mean, She said I want the website to have some blue on it.

I laugh while typing that. I thought for sure it was going to be the name she wanted the website to be. She said it was up to me to name the website. I decided one thing for sure. There wasn't going to be cancer in the title. I wanted something that would inspire others and expressed what this meant to us. That's how the website and now our charity became "A Mission Of Love".

She received a letter from our friend Anthony, the host of the TV show "Hotel Impossible". In the letter Anthony wrote "passion changes everything". Steph wanted that to be the tagline for our website.

I also wanted to use "teamwork makes the dream work". Simply because nobody should have to face cancer alone.

Regarding the name of our charity and website. There is something about it that I forgot to share with Steph. It was also inspired by something that happened during the best time of my life. That being the year she was born 2001. It was also a tragic moment in the history of our country on September 11th, 2001. Just a couple of months after she came into this world.

Her mom and I decided to take our first trip in awhile. I bought tickets to see Neil Diamond in Columbus, Ohio and booked us a room. It took us over 3 hours to get there and I only brought one thing to listen to. Neil's new album "Three Chord Opera". There was two songs on that album that pretty much described how I felt about my wife and my daughter. "I believe in happy endings" and "The best part of me". I would sing them to Steph when holding her. I was holding her when the news broke that the first plane had struck the tower.

With the country recovering from that. A few performers felt it was important for all of us to get back to normal. After a couple of weeks of sporting events and concerts being put on hold. Everything started up again.

So we drove to Ohio and by time we got there. We knew the words to every song on Neil's new album. The night of the show sitting in the arena I was sure of one thing. There is no way Neil doesn't open this show with his hit song "America". I was correct. I don't think he ever sung it with more passion then he did that night. But what happened next shocked the hell out of us. A sold out arena and Neil Diamond didn't know the words to the next song LOL.

We did. Probably heard it 12 times on our trip. Neil was trying to remember the words and the band would circle back to the chorus. I felt bad for Neil, but also thought it was pretty funny. I know the words better than the guy who wrote it. The fans didn't seem to care. The chorus was kind of a sing along and they were happy to participate. It was a simple chorus, all you did was shout out L-O-V-E and then say love.

That song was "A Mission Of Love". Whenever I feel down. I think of that night and just laugh. However, I feel bad for one of the greatest singer / songwriters of our time. Because he just wanted the damn thing to end.

Steph was full of love and laughter.

We spent so many days together just laughing until our sides hurt. I don't know why she didn't share that with other people. She had a great sense of humor and only shared that with a few of us.

Outside of our house people got a different version of Steph. She always wanted to like everyone she ever met. Was laser focused on being the best at school, helping others and loving life.

I remember countless times she saved up money and on field trips would share it with her friends. Steph really did enjoy giving people gifts, more than receiving them. She would smile more doing a kind gesture than receiving a gift. Don't get me wrong. She loved receiving gifts. It was the thought that counted more than the actual gift. Here is a story that really proves that point.

It was May 2013 and I was in Best Buy looking at video game systems. There was one Steph was saving up for. I think she had about $120 at this time and her birthday was in a little over 2 months. The system and games she wanted was just over 300 dollars. I told my friend John I was going to get it for her and give it to her now. He said "you're not going to wait until her birthday?"

I said absolutely not. Sissy (what we called her) never asked for anything. It often felt like an interrogation trying to find out what she wanted for Christmas or her birthday. I also knew she would appreciate the thought more than the gift and wouldn't be expecting much else come July. Sissy proved me right. I got home and went into her room. I dropped the stuff on her bed and she had the biggest smile. Gave me a huge hug and said I love you. It wasn't 15 minutes later her Aunt showed up and gave her a few items from the Dollar Tree. She gave her the same hug, same smile and same I love you that I received. I couldn't have been prouder as a parent. It wasn't about money with her, it was that you thought of her.

Above is a true definition of the greatest person I ever met...

My hero, my daughter, my best friend and now my angel Stephaine K Marshall.

That also describes "A Mission Of Love". We're about putting the needs of others before us. During interviews on TV, radio and print I get the same compliments. Told what an incredible person I am for doing this. I have to correct them all the time. I'm not an incredible person. I'm just the father of that person.

Steph wouldn't want this charity being about one person. It's about the people we meet and can help on this journey. I'm just the guy carrying on her legacy. I would rather be the guy doing this with her. That's not possible since she is no longer with us.

"A Mission Of Love" is here because of Stephaine. It goes on because of her, not because of her memory. This charity is built on the blueprint that made the sweetest girl this earth ever seen.

It's built on love, passion, a servants heart and the dreams of a 13 year old girl.

On behalf of our founder Stephaine Marshall. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to read this. I would also like to thank our team and all the families we assisted along the way. Without you and Steph there is no charity.

I don't need a fancy title. I already have one. Father to Stephaine Marshall.

Dream Big.

Passion Changes Everything.

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work.

Sincerely, JD Marshall.

I love you always and forever pumpkin.

About Stephaine from her mother click here.

P.S.

The video below also reminds me of a special moment I shared with my daughter. Her last concert was Barry Manilow. We attended it just a few months before she left us. When he was singing the song below. I watched a women hug her mom. Before I could say anything. Steph put her arm around me and didn't let go until the song was over.