Miss you .. / Lisa LaDue
So, today we decided to put our tree up (yes, Mom I know it's about time!). As Lacey and I were fluffing the tree we were talking about the few times we were fluffing the tree with you. You liked doing that almost as much as I do! I think the three of us spent 45 minutes fluffing the tree only for Dad to come in and do it all over himself!
We have the pleasure of hanging out with Hannah this weekend. Today we put up our tree and she was so excited to hang all the decorations on the tree. Granted, all the ornaments are on the same spot, but it's the fun that matters! Perhaps we'll spread them out tomorrow or maybe we'll just keep them the way they are.
Tonight we are taking the girls to Springfield to see all the Christmas lights. I'm sure they will have a great time and I know you would have loved seeing all the colored light displays they have. I know that you are with us each year as we all pile in the minivan for that drive up to Springfield. It's become a tradition and I like that.
I wish that you were here with us. I miss seeing your smiling face and hearing that big laugh of yours. I hope you know just how much you are missed my friend. I love you Michael. I know you'll continue to stay close to us every day.
Memories/ Mom
I'm really missing you Honey. I'm remembering decorating for Christmas and all the fun we had. You hated "fluffing" the tree! You would gripe about it and say it was Lacey or Kevin's turn to do it "this year". And you always thought one bag of greenery should be enough to make the wreaths. I remember the Christmas that you and Krista trudged through the snow with me to get the greenery and I kept telling Krista we'd turn her into a "craftsy" person yet. Both of you, and Jacob too, helped me make the wreaths and then Krista and Jacob wanted to make one for their Mom's. They thought they were too old to show their excitement and how proud they were of those wreaths.
I realize now that these are some of the times I took for granted. It was a holiday tradition and I just always expected you to be around and be involved in the traditions. While Dad and I were decorating tonight, I could have sworn I heard you say, "Why do you always have to have white lights... put some colored lights on!" And even though we have "your" tree with the colored lights inside, I decorated a tree outside for you Michael. I put colored lights for you Honey! And it's the tree you laughed at me about when I started it from lemon seeds. The lights weigh it down a bit, but it's pretty. And I know you were laughing about it Michael! So keep laughing Honey, and enjoy your tree and all the Christmas decorations everywhere.
Happy Thanksgiving Michael! / Lisa (sister & friend )Read >>
Happy Thanksgiving Michael! / Lisa (sister & friend )
So, today is Thanksgiving. A day to give thanks for so many things. A day, like so many others, that I always took for granted. Unfortunately, it takes something like losing you and my brother to make me realize just how precious life is. I have so much to be thankful for. I have your sister - who is just completely amazing. I am so very grateful that I have her in my life and that she was silly enough to allow me to be a part of her life. She truly is my rock and my better half. I don't know what I would do without her! We have an amazing daughter who is so very smart. She is just so much like all of us it's so funny sometimes. She is an amazing girl who just fills our hearts with so much pride. We are not only lucky, but blessed to have such a wonderful daughter.
I have a great family. A family that welcomed me in long before I was "officially" family. Sure, it's a BIG family and they're a bit roudy sometimes, but they are supportive and I'm blessed to be a part of it. I have a great job that I love. We have a house, but more importantly, we have a home. A home full of love, laughter and friends. My friends are truly the greatest people on this planet! They are always there for me and they make me laugh. Laughter is the best medicine!
I know that you still share in all that we have going on. I know that you are still with your niece. I know that you are excited for us when we are excited. I know you share in our happiness and in our pain. I know this in my heart. My brain has a hard time catching up with my heart!! I have trouble wrapping my head around the fact that I can't see your face, hear your larger than life laugh, or to have you call me looking for advice or vice versa.
I am so very thankful for us. Our relationship was a very unique one that survived so many years, so many laughs, tears and smiles. No matter what we went through over the many many years we always shared a special friendship. I am most thankful for the wonderful memories you shared with me. The memories and the great times that I took for granted. All those hours spent in the car driving back and forth from Grafton with you. The silly arguments about the radio, the paint fights, the inside jokes, the phone calls that lasted for hours, the road trips and the silliness we shared.
You will always be in my heart. You will always be one of my truly best friends. You taught me so much Michael. You will never know how grateful I am to have had you in my life. You are a very special person.
Thank you for teaching me the value and true meaning of friendship. Thank you for teaching me how much fun life can be. Thank you for teaching me how to always be supportive - even when the decisions are not ones I agree with. Thank you for being you. Most of all, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life .. for allowing me to be your friend.
I miss you so very much my friend. True friendship is eternal.
Thinking about you as always and so very much wishing that you were here. Another holiday that was always such a family event, and I can't give you a hug or tell you to your face how very much I love you. Some days are so much harder than others. None of them are easy, but holidays are harder. We always made it such a point that the family be together on holidays, and if that wasn't possible, we at least talked on the phone.
And then there are times like this morning when I was going over Gram's gift list and counting the grandchildren's names, saying I'm missing somebody. I only had six names and I knew there was supposed to be seven. Even though it is always in my mind that you're not here, when doing some things like that, it just hits me so hard all over again. I miss you so much Michael.
And so Michael, I am sending you hugs, kisses, and more love than you could imagine through the sky and up to the heavens along with my Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Missing you so very much / Gram &. Gramps Duval (Grandmother)
Mike, I am not very good at this. It is so hard to know that you will no longer be with us. I know that you are here in spirit. All the fun times that we all have had together. Those memories will always be with us. Gramps always watches your vidios, I am not able to at this time.
I miss all the kidding around we used to do. I wish that I could have had some answers for you the last summer we spent together. We love and miss you so much, stay with us. Please watch over your family this Thanksgiving. They are spending it with us in Marco. We are very grateful for that. Love you, Gram and Gramps Close
Hannah/ Joy (Friend)
Michael, Although I know you are with us all everyday, I feel the need to tell you alittle about your Amazing Niece. Hannah and I were looking at pictures of your christmas tree and Hannah was just a talking away.. " I wish that God could give us one more day to play uncle Michael, I love you and miss you and wish I was a baby again and you could take care of me and we could play" and just went on and on. I am not sure exactly how much she remembers but you are an unforgettable kind of person. We had our first Parent teacher conference today with Hannahs teacher, and of course she is as smart as can be, the teacher said she has many friends, and gets along well with everyone, apparently she doesnt do so well at circle time, she likes to be silly and make people laugh. Boy does that sound like someone we know. She is just so out going and friendly, I know she is making you proud. Her Daddy and I are just so proud of her, and she wows us everyday. She talks about you often, still telling me in the mornings that you came and played with her durning the night, sometimes its candy land other times she says you read to her. These are things that are totally unprompted by myself or Kevin, at first I was alittle concerned but then I realized just home much you are with her. Hannah is so lucky to have her Uncle Michael for a guardian Angel. We love you and miss you so much everyday. Continue to stay close as the Holidays are near. Hugs and kisses to you my friend. Love always Joy and Hannah Close
The year's first snow!! / Lisa
It's SNOWING! Who would have thought snow for Thanksgiving! At least we didn't have snow for Halloween this year!
I'm sure that you have the best view of all the snow from up there!
I know that you would be so very excited and that you would be planning a skiing trip all while complaining that you were cold! I miss you so much my friend. I know that you are with me and I thank you so very much for all that you do. You continue to support and guide me just as you have always done for the last 14 years!!
I wish you were here to share in all that we have going on. There is so much excitment and so many things I wish you were here to share with me. I know that you are with me, but I just wish I could see your smiling face and see you sharing in the happy events that we have going on (fingers crossed!). It's going to be an exciting and nerve-wracking few months!
I miss you so much Michael. I miss our talks and our goofy times that we shared. Close
Family Times / Mom
Hey Michael! What do you think of your tree this year? I just know you were testing us and laughing your butt off at us running from store to store trying to find the same damn tree that you had, because this one wasn't working. I even told Dad that you were watching us last night and laughing about the fact that we would be doing all that for a tree with all the colors! Well, you have your colors again and Dad did a beautiful job decorating it for you. Even though I know you love it, I just know you're still laughing! Enjoy it Honey. We love you and miss you so very much Michael.
For Michael / Denise Kneale (angel friends ) Dear Michael, I hope you had a great Halloween and partied with all our other angels. Stay close to your dear family, leaving them little signs so they know you are always near to them. Love and Blessings Denise mum to James. http://james-kneale.memory-of.com xxx Close
My favorite day! / Lisa
As you know today is my favorite day of the entire year! I absolutely LOVE Halloween. It's a day to dress up with the kids and just clown around like you used to do every day! In Pagan tradition I will light a candle to guide you and my brother home to us on this blessed night. I love you Michael. Blessed Samhain my friend!
Here I am again .. / Lisa
Here I am again. Another day that I need you to be here. Another day that I could use your excellent listening skills and wise advice. Another day that I need for you to tell me that I am doing the right thing and that I'm dealing with things the best way I am able and that's all I can do. I need for you to be here to tell me to relax and not let certain people and things bother me as much as I allow them to. I do tend to overreact sometimes. I know! I just wish you were here to listen to me vent, to tell me I'm right and to laugh with me! I know that you are with me. Of all things I miss about you - I miss our friendship the most.
I know exactly what you would say to me and I can hear your words of wisdom. I just wish I could hear your voice telling me those things. However, I do not take it for granted. I am truly grateful that you are with me each and every day. I am grateful that you were such an important part of my life and that we had such an amazing friendship. It still amazes me that we ended up being as close as we were after all that we went though together! I know that you will always be there for me not only during the hard times, but during the good times as well.
You know how much I try to please people. I tend to try to make everyone happy and I often sacrafice my own happiness in the process. I'm learning to not do that as often, but there is always an exception to that rule. There are certain people whose happiness means more to me than my own. On the other hand there are some whose happiness shouldn't matter as much as it does! I know it's a learning experience and that I have made progress in that area, but it's still hard for me sometimes!
I know I need to learn to let things go as well, but again, I have a hard time doing that! I know some people are just not worth the effort and I KNOW that, but I still can't allow myself to let go of certain things. It's hard to let go when there is so much that frustrates me!! We've talked about this and I promise that I am trying! I'm still working on a few other things we talked about too. I guess slow and steady wins the race, right? You never made anything easy!!!
Continue to stay close to the family! Just keep reminding us that the journey will lead us to a fantastic destination! I miss you my friend.
2 years gone by / Lacey (Sister)
Well Mikey, two years have gone by since that terrible day when you left us. Two years of missing you, of wishing that you were here with us, of having just our memories of you ... two long years of wishing that we could change what cannot be changed - the fact that you are gone. I can still vividly recall the moment when I found out you were gone ... and the feelings and emotions from those moments are still overpowering. I can recount pretty much the entire day .. what the weather was like, how traffic was that day on the way home from work, the way that Lisa looked at me when I walked through the door. Two years haven't caused any of it to fade, nor have they caused the ache of missing you to dull. Yesterday was a difficult day for us all, but I guess it's good that we were together. Having Mom & Dad home, even if it is such a short trip at this terrible time of year, is good. Gram actually got to go and visit this year too, instead of being layed up like she was last year. As amused as I'm sure you were at her behavior last year, she was glad that she actually got to go this time around. Just like every other day that goes by, you were thought of very much yesterday. I hope that you know how much you're loved and missed by each and every one of us. I love you Michael. Close
Thinking about you and your family ^i^ / Donna Medeiros (daughter of angel ruth hobbs )Read >>
Thinking about you and your family ^i^ / Donna Medeiros (daughter of angel ruth hobbs )
Hi Michael, thinking of you and your family we too are from Massachusetts and I lost my mom in 2005. God Bless ^i^
I don’t even know where to begin or what words to use on this second anniversary of you leaving this world. I know that you know how very much I miss you and want you here. That will never change Honey. It hurts that you are not in our “new” family memories and pictures, and the ache doesn’t go away. It’s so hard Michael, to gather for those pictures and gatherings when in the forefront of my mind I know that you are not there as you should be. And we all pretend that we’re just fine and we don’t say what we’re thinking as the camera flash goes off and the conversation around us doesn’t stop. Yet I know that Dad, Kevin, Lacey and I are all feeling and thinking just about the same thoughts. But we force ourselves to smile and go on because that’s what we have to do.
We’ve all realized that it’s permanent that you are gone from us, and our lives will never be the same as before you left us. But we can celebrate your life, even while feeling this void in our lives. We celebrate all the family times, your sense of humor, your laugh, your smile, everything about you and the years that we had you in our lives.
I came across this poem Michael and it just struck me so that I wanted to share it with you.
Angel's Kiss
It's our selfishness That makes us cry. We weren’t ready, To say good-bye.
We weren’t ready To let you go. We pray you know, We loved you so.
It's us, not you, Who suffers here. We know you're life goes on, somewhere.
We know that we should celebrate. You've walked through Heaven's glorious gate.
But, still we can't stop thinking of, Your smile, your touch, Your special love.
We know that you hear what we say. It's just done in a different way.
And, so we want to send you this ~ To you, the one We love and miss ~
Too Long / Dad (Loving Father )
Dear Michael, Where to start? Two years has been so very long to be without you in our family. Two years has gone by excruciatingly slow and yet it seems like a blink of an eye since you were with us. In my heart I can still see your face...that loving face so full of mischief and determination and bewilderment and unbridled intent. I can feel your arms around me as I did that last night I saw you and felt your lips brush my cheek with a goodnight kiss...how I wish I could feel that again without it just being a memory. And oh those memories...how precious they are to me now...they sustain me every day and every night. If only I could go back and build more memories of you I wonder how different they would be…would I have been different knowing that I would lose you before your rightful time?...so many questions and guilt in hindsight…I know you loved me as much as I love you…but was there enough? I miss you so very, very much and long to see your smile and hear your voice…perhaps someday soon I will hold you forever in heaven…until then I will cling so very tightly to the memories I have and struggle to contain them in my mind and heart so that they are with me always. I love you so very much dear son…stay with me always until we meet again. Forever in my keeping, Dad
FOR YOU, DEAR SON
Each day without you the sun still rises, But too often I wonder why. Some nights I see unending stars, And others, a clear, black sky. When storms bring clouds that burden my mind I wish that I could see More rainbows in my tear-filled eyes As your memory does for me. Too long has passed since last I saw That smile upon your face, And my biggest fear is as time goes by, I will struggle to find a trace Of the memories I hold so dear Which sustain me night and day. Because those memories are all I have Since the day you went away. And so, dear son, please stay within My broken heart today. I could not last if there should come A single breathing day That as night falls and I kneel down To thank my God above For the privilege and the memories Of a son like you to love.
Written by Craig LaDue A loving, grieving Father Oct 10, 2007
that time of year again / Stephanie Brown
2 years today have passed since you have been gone & I still miss you so much. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you and the great times we had together. There are some days when I don’t believe that you are really gone. There are still days when I have full on conversations and arguments with you & when I am done I end up laughing cause I know you are laughing at me. I will never forget you and never forget how much love you showed to me and to Max. He loves you so much too and talks about you from time to time. I decided to visit you yesterday so that I would not intrude on any of your family visiting you today. Your eternal resting spot looks so beautiful and I know you are proud of it. DO you think you could do me a favor today? Just stay close to me & to Max today. I have been having a rough few weeks and I could really use a Michael Hug.
Miss you and Love you always. I will see you in my dreams and I will see you again when it’s my turn.
Where did the last two years go? So much has happened yet it feels like just yesterday. It leaves me in awe to think that it has been two years since I heard your voice, saw your smile or heard you laugh that contagious laugh of yours! I am so glad that I have so many great memories of you. All I have to do is close my eyes and there you are.
Those of us who were lucky enough to be in your life are especially grateful today. We are the chosen few whose lives were that much better because you were a part of our lives! I know that I don't need to tell you to stay close to our family today becuase I know you are always with us. However, could you drop a few extra hints today? You know that Lacey is a bit slow sometimes :)
I think of you each and every day. I remember all the great times and I laugh out loud most times at the silly things we did together. Just Sunday Mom, Becky, Lacey and I were talking about you on the way home from Foxwoods. We were talking about the infamous trip to Florida with Krista. I will never forget that trip! The four of us sharing a hotel room with one bathroom! The trip to "Universal Studios", the Mcdonald's trip that ended with orange juice in my shoes, the laughs, pictures, and fights about the tv being on! That is just one of the many many memories we shared together. THANK YOU for all of those and for allowing me to be such a great friend. You truly taught me so much!
A true friend never walks away A true friend will always stay A true friend looks out for you A true friend tells you the truth Even if they don't want to
A true friend will guard your secrets Like a precious gift A true friend is there for you To give you a helpful lift
A true friend tries to make you smile Tries to replace that frown They may not always succeed But they rarely let you down
These arms for you are open This heart for you does care And when I think you need me I'll try to always be there
I'll listen to your fears I promise not to laugh Comfort your falling tears I'll make this friendship last
I'll keep you near to my heart I'll always hold you dear Even when we're miles apart Even when you're here
So never think you are a burden, when the weight gets to be to much. You might find if you look hard enough, a good friend could be the right touch.
You're never alone, I'm always here, through the good times and the bad. I'm always here to be your friend, I don't like to see you sad.
You're never alone, I'm always near, When your troubled, down or blue. All you have to do is call me, I'm always here for you.
It doesn't matter where I'm at, It doesn't matter when. When you need someone to talk to, I'll always be your best friend.
THE DASH! / Joy (FRIEND) I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of his friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone, from the beginning...to the end. He noted that first came the date of his birth, and spoke of the second with tears. But he said that what mattered most of all, was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time, that he spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved him, know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.
A tiny part of me will leave with you, And a little bit of you will stay!
The author of this poem is Linda Ellis.
We miss you so much Michael, I know you are in Heaven shining down on us and watching over us. Hannah tells me all the time that Uncle Michael came to play with her, while she is sleeping or in her room, and she lights up still. She only knew you here on earth a short time but you sure are spending alot of time with her still. You were an amazing friend to me and Uncle to her. I know one day I will see you in heaven, but I miss you so much now.I love you Michael so very much. I will always carry apart of you in my heart dear friend. We are sending you hugs and kisses everyday! Close
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