Thanks!/ Lisa
Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for being with me yesterday. It was a rough day, but you were by my side just like you've always been! I hope you know how much I cherished our friendship and I always will! Those of us who were lucky enough to call ourselves a friend of yours were truly blessed!!
Yesterday was truly a hard day for me, but I got through it! It also helped me to realize just how lucky I am. So many people made the effort to see how I was doing and to check up on me to make sure I was doing ok. Sometimes we don't realize just how lucky we are to have those types of people in our lives. I managed to not spend the entire day focusing on my loss which I think is a HUGE accomplishment! Instead I focused on the happy memories and the good times which is exactly what I'll be doing next week.
We've also got some fun planned for when Mom & Dad get here!! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday. It'll be nice to spend some time with our family. Those occasions are always bittersweet.
Anyways, thank you for being there for me yesterday. I miss you so much. I miss all our talks and all the fun we always had together. I miss my best friend Stay close to us as you always do and let Mom and Dad know you're around.
It's Me ... Again. / Lisa (best of friends )Read >>
It's Me ... Again. / Lisa (best of friends )
So, did you have tons of fun at the concert with me? I know you would have been there singing at the top of your lungs, yelling and screaming along side me! I had a blast!!
It's getting to be that time of the year again. The time of year when it starts getting cold (Mom & Dad better pack their winter clothes for their trip!), the leaves have begun to change and the days are getting shorter. You used to love this time of year. You would start talking about snowboarding and skiing. Lacey promised Selena that she would teach her how to ski this year so that should be a very interesting and fun adventure! I know that you will be there with us laughing at me each time I fall!!
Your niece is getting so big and she never fails to amaze us. I can't believe how big she is and just how grown up she has become. It blows our minds! Time goes by so fast. Lacey and I are still trying to catch up and accept that our little girl isn't such a little girl anymore. It's just so crazy!! Although, your sister is having a much harder time accepting that our daughter is growing up. I think she's trying to figure out how she can stop it from happening! She's doing great in school and she's such a smartass just like Dad and Lacey! Selena's too smart for her own good, just like you! I see so much of all of us in her.
I have so much going on and I just don't know how to deal with everything. I'm not at all looking forward to the next few weeks. It is so hard for me. I don't know how I'm going to get through that week!!! I still don't know how to deal with it all. I have so many regrets .. there are so many things I didn't get to say. I am so upset that I didn't get to talk to you that last week because I was too busy trying to wrap my mind around what had happened to my brother. I know that you were trying to be there for me and I didn't allow you to do that. It was just too hard and it still is and I know that you understand that. I just wish things were different and I'm sorry that I didn't allow you to be there for me.
I just wish you were here. You were the person that helped me sort out all my problems. You were the one that would give me advice and tell me what I should do and how I should do it! I depended on you so very much Michael. I still do.
I miss you so much my friend. I wish so much that you were here ...
I'm just stopping by to say hello and say thanks for the visit. I'm so glad that we still get to have our time. I miss you tons. I wish that you were here there is so much that I need to talk to you about!! There is so much that I wish you were here for. Lacey and I have so many plans and so many things that we want to do and we just wish so much that you were here to share in those plans with us. I know that you're still around and that you hear all those plans and I know that when we do finally accomplish them you will be there with us.
We have a very special day coming up on Thursday!!! I wish that you were here to celebrate with us. Although, I know that you will be with us even if we can't see you! You were always there for me and I know you'll continue to be there. That's what friends are for! I just wish so much that I could talk to you, see you, hug you one more time. Until we meet again I'll just do all of those things in my dreams. Somtimes that is just not enough, but I'll take what I can get!!
I know that I shouldn't be so selfish. I know that you are at peace and that you are happy. I know. I just miss you so much. I miss our talks and all of the time we spent together. I miss all the phone calls and IM conversations. I miss going to dinner so you could eat "real food". I miss the late nights sitting on the floor in our house eating chinese food and you complaining that we didn't have any of the basic essentials like salt and pepper! I miss the paint fights and the inside jokes. I miss all the long drives to and from Job Corp with you!! I actually miss the appointments and driving you all over the place while you changed the song every two minutes! I don't think we actually listened to an entire song once when you were in the car with me!!!
I constantly think of you and there are so many things that remind me of all the great memories we shared. I am so grateful for all our crazy moments and our silliness! You ALWAYS made me laugh! Holy crap those people have llamas!!!
Your birthday ... / Lacey (Sister)
Well Mikey, your birthday has come and gone again. Thursday was such a hard day ... it felt like somebody slowed down time for the whole day. I woke up that morning wishing I could have just slept right through it and woken up on Friday instead. I remember so many of your birthdays so vividly, probably because you always made such a big deal of them. All those parties around Gram & Gramp's pool with the whole family ... you just loved being the center of attention. Then there was the time when the whole family went out to dinner and they came out singing to you with a cake, except you didn't realize it was for you so were just singing along with everyone else! I tried to think of all the good things on Thursday and to celebrate your birthday ... but it was just too hard. I couldn't help but think of all the birthdays that you're missing. And all the other special occasions that you should be here for ... all the other birthdays and anniversaries, the family get-togethers ... and watching your nieces grow up. It just feels like there is so much that we're missing out on because you're not here. I know it sounds selfish, but it's so hard not to think that way. Your absence is just so heartbreaking ... especially on all those special occasions and when we're around the family.
So, as I'm sure you know, we went out to dinner with Gram & Gramp Thursday night. It was a nice dinner and we talked about you a lot. It was good that we were together, I suppose it forced me to be less grumpy and mopey. The rainbow was a nice touch ... you always did try to be a bit of a showoff! I hope that you enjoyed the balloons that Mom & Dad let go for you ... the day was especially hard for them, as I'm sure you know. I wish there was something that one of us could do to take their pain away, or at least ease it. Unfortunately, the world doesn't work that way and we are really not in control of anything, which has been a tough lesson to learn since you left us.
Well, I hope that you enjoyed your birthday ... We all miss you so very, very much. It's just not the same without you, and of course it never will be.
Happy Birthday / Joy &. Hannah (Friend)
I just wanted to tell you again that I love you and Miss you. I know you are enjoying your birthday in Heaven. I hope you heard Hannah tonight, she just blows my mind. I have been talking to her all day about today being your birthday. We did our normal routine, story time, then we blow you kisses. Well you got alot of extra kisses tonight and a couple of hugs. But when she told me she wanted to sing you happy birthday I couldnt help but to cry. Then afterwards, she kissed her angel and said " I love you Mikey" I only call you Michael, thats all I have ever called you, and I asked her where she heard Mikey from and she said heaven. I know you are with her everyday, she tells me so. She had me balling my eyes out this morning when she woke up and told me she played with Uncle Michael last night. You we always so amazing with her, and you still are. I love you my friend and not a day goes by that I dont think about you. Happy 26th Brithday Michael!! Enjoy your 26 balloons. Love always Joy and Hannah Close
Happy 26th Birthday Honey! I am picturing myself right now hugging you and holding on to you as hard and for as long as I possibly could. Can you feel my hugs? I hope so Honey. I send them to you all the time with my love.
What can I say about today? Our family has always made such a big deal about birthdays. I still say it is the most important day of any person’s life here on earth… and so very important to that person’s family.
I remember this day 26 years ago so clearly. You were so tiny Michael. I remember telling Dad that I cooked chickens for dinner that were bigger than you! And even though you were our third child, I was nervous about giving you a bath because you were so small. Dad actually gave you your first bath after we brought you home from the hospital. And how you cried! All the time Michael! It took the doctors nine months to figure out what was wrong with your stomach. I never thought then about how stomach problems would affect you your whole life. I just wanted us, and the doctors to be able to do something for you so you wouldn’t be in pain all the time. We eventually thought you outgrew those stomach problems; never imagining that you would suffer with that pain for many more years as an adult; never imagining the hardships this would cause you in your life here; never imagining how it would affect your life’s dreams and goals. If only…. If only we could have made it better for you Michael. If only…. and how come… and why does it have to be this way? I’ve always asked these questions, but never have I so desperately wanted answers or tried to change what was. And how unbearably hard it has been to realize that I could not make it better for you or change what was meant to be.
And even though I so desperately miss you and long for you to be here with us, I can feel some peace knowing that all of your pain and struggles and shattered dreams and goals are left behind you now that you are in Heaven. And I can feel some joy in knowing how wonderful your life now is. And I can see you in my mind and feel you in my heart. And I can remember all the joyous times, the heartfelt joy you brought to us.
Yes Michael, you could be a pain in the butt… and so relentless at times. You birthday is just one of those examples. You would have started months ago wanting us to make plans for your birthday and making lists of what you wanted, changing the list almost daily! And of course you wanted a party! As I said before, you somehow always ended up every year with more than one birthday party. Those memories, and so many, many more, are so precious Michael. I cherish my memories of all of our family times and especially the “Michael time” times. I still have to chuckle when I think about how that time became named “Michael time”. And I still have to laugh about so many other times and events in your life. As much as I miss you so very, very much and feel such pain knowing you are gone from us on this earth, I thank God for the time that we did have with you. You brought so much to our lives Michael. Thank God, and thank you for that Michael.
I came across this poem Michael, and knew that I had to send it to you. The words so clearly describe how your family feels about you being gone from us. It was originally written in the first person, but I edited it to reflect the plural feelings. Catch our kisses Michael!
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 ~
Did you catch those kisses Michael? And I’m sending hugs and so much love too Honey! Watch for those balloons tonight as Dad and I send off 26 of them to you, wishing you Happy Birthday. And I picture you laughing at us as you watched Dad and I taking all those balloons out of the store. You and I just knew that Dad thought I over-did it and he was probably getting aggravated, but never said a word. But it had to be 26 Michael. Twenty-five colored balloons and 1 Happy Birthday balloon. Enjoy them Michael! Sunset at the beach was your favorite time and place, so that’s when we’ll send them to you.
Happy Birthday Michael / Denise Kneale (connected by angels ) Happy Birthday Michael, have a fantastic time. Go find James and his 4 buddies and light up our skies with your party tonight. Let your precious family, feel the peace that you now feel, on this day of your birth on earth. Thinking of you all at this time. Love and Blessings Denise mum to James. http://james-kneale.memory-of.com xxx Close
In Honor of Michael / Judy, Mom To Angel Jamie-leigh Britt (connected by angels )Read >>
In Honor of Michael / Judy, Mom To Angel Jamie-leigh Britt (connected by angels ) Close
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! / Lisa
Well my friend today is the big day! The day you would have been counting down for since my birthday exactly one month ago. The day you would be calling me asking me what we got you. The day I'm sure we would have been making plans or chatting in some way. I miss you so very much my friend, but I know that you would want for me, for all of us, to celebrate and enjoy this day as you did each year. So, for you, I will enjoy the day. I will be by today to sing you happy birthday as I did each and every year. I know that you will be making your rounds today as we all keep you even more in our hearts and in our thoughts today. Lacey, Selena & I will be celebrating your birthday with Gram & Gramp at dinner tonight so make sure you stop by and enjoy some dessert with me. Until we meet again, I love you Michael. I miss you so very much.
DEAREST MICHAEL, Today is what it is...a hallow celebration of the day you came into our lives...HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON...how can it be that 26 years ago I held you for the very first time...lovingly embraced you as the perfect creation that I knew you were and the great person which I knew you would become...how could you possibly miss given your fantastic gene pool...intelligence ,beauty, personality,compassion for your fellow man, a great sense of humor ...not to mention what you got from mom's side of the gene pool...that long unanswered question of why is it this and why is it not this... or.. if I do this ..isn't it the same as what you just said...or quite possibly the thing that you got most from her is that winning smile and that love for life itself. In any event...I sit here and ponder the life I knew and the life I didn't realize...the boy who sat on my lap as a struggling child and the man I held in my arms as a struggling adult...the happy days when I could lift you up to the sky and hear your rapturous laugh ...and the somberous days when I held your life high above all else but could not console a desperate heart. Oh how I wish that you were here to raise me up and allow me to give you again that simple boyhood laughter that I long for so very very much. However much I pray and however much I long for the days gone...they will unfortunately remain that...days gone by... and no amount of pleading..no amount of desperation...no amount ..it seems..of love .. will ever bring back to me the days of simple paternal pleasure which you gave me so very many times in my life...all of which I am eternally grateful for and for which I would give up my own life to have returned to me for just one day..one hour...one fleeting second...to be able to hold you so firmly and lovingly and to be able to extend to you on this very special day...a loving kiss..a fervent wish for your peace and happiness and a very special blessing for you to have a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY ...and so my Dear SON on this very day of remembrace ...so very fraught with tears and yet with joy... I wish you a very special birthday and my deepest wish is that all of the glowing stars in heaven are there on your celestial and angelic Birthday cake, and I know and hope that your fervent Birthday wish is that all that you loved and left behind you for a more perfect serenity will surpass all of the tribulation and angst that we are to endure until we can celebrate with you once more in the heavenly sanctuary which is now your Serene Home... Happy 26TH Birthday to you ...my precious son... I love you eternally and miss you every second... Always in my heart and thoughts. Dad
Hello My Friend / Lisa
So, apparently my text is too long for a candle so I'm going to write in what I want to say!!
We had a great time with the family at Uncle Kevin's last night. It's always fun being around all the kids and chatting with everyone. I know that you were there with us playing with all the kids (big and small!) as they goofed around in the pool. I know how much you love being with the kids (plus, I was there! he he). It's amazing to see how big all the kids are getting and how silly the "adults" are when they are with the kids. Those are my favorite times and my most cherished memories.
It's days like this that make me miss you so very much. Most people have a hard time on holidays, birthdays, etc. The days I have the most trouble with are everyday days. Days that I know you would have been with us just goofing off and cracking me up. Days where I know we'd be having one of our sessions, talking on the phone, or spending time together in some way. We always had so much fun when we were together. We drove each other crazy, but we had fun doing it!! I know I've said this before, but I am so grateful for all the memories I shared with you. You truly were one of my best friends and you always will be ~ Our friendship is eternal.
Continue to stay close to all of us especially those of us that could use an extra hug or two during the last few weeks and the upcoming ones. I know that we can always count on you to be there for us when we need you. Some things never change.
Missing You Today / Dad (Loving Father )
Dearest Michael, I know that I should be happy to celebrate another birthday today, but again this year it is especially hard without you here to help join with the rest of our family in helping me to commemorate another year milestone... it is difficult. My birthday instead reminds me that yours is only 9 days away and that is more on my mind that you will not be here for us to celebrate your life with you in person. Again this year I pray that you are at peace and I hope that you will stay especially close to my heart today...even more than you always are. I wish that I could have traded places with you because I have had a life...although I would not want to give any of it up...I love Mom and Kevin and Lacey tremendously ...and all the family...but to give you a chance at the happiness which I have known, I would gladly have traded places with you...I love you and miss you so very much...but such was not to be...only God knows the plan which he had for you...much to my chagrin. I will think of you often today..as always..but I will never get that Happy Birthday phone call from you again and I truly miss that and if I ever was to be granted a birthday wish it would be that you were still here with me to give me a big hug and smile and razz me about how old and grey I am becoming. I will talk to you tonight in my prayers as I always do and you can talk to me in my dreams and I will keep you forever in my heart and love and thoughts. I miss you always. Love, DAD Close
Missing You / Mom
Missing you Honey and wishing so very much that you were here to talk to. I know you'd have at least 100 suggestions as to what to get you for your upcoming birthday. You would have started telling us a few weeks ago! If only you could be here for this birthday and many, many more. I never expected to lose you Michael. I often feel that I am getting messages and signs from you but it certainly is not anywhere near the same as having you here. I’ve been thinking about your birthday coming up and remembering in such detail the day you were born, all the birthday parties, and so much in between the birthdays. I was laughing to myself the other day remembering the time that Gram & Gramps took the family to dinner at the Homestead when you were young and how surprised you were when the cake being brought out by the singing waiters/waitresses was for you. When you realized they were coming to our table you asked who that was for. That was one of the many years that you had more than one birthday party! For some reason, you had more than one birthday celebration just about every year. You always loved your birthday and all the holidays. I can see that smile in my mind. Such a beautiful smile Honey. I miss it so much.
As you look forward to this birthday in Heaven Michael, feel all my love and thoughts being sent to you. I love you Michael.
I stumbled upon this today and I wanted to share it witih you. I know that there is a reason I found it so I wanted to pass along the message. I know that if I don't pass it on Michael will not be very happy with me! He always demanded everyone's attention. I know times have been rough and we've all been through a lot. I just wanted you all to know that I'll always be here and that I love you all!! xoxoxo
A Message From Heaven
Perhaps you aren't ready yet to have to say good-bye ... perhaps you thought of things you wish you'd said -- well, so have I.
For one thing, I'd have told you not to worry about me ... I'm with the Lord in Heaven now -- you knew that's where I'd be.
I'm sorry that you're feeling sad, for I'm so happy now ... I've asked the Lord to ease the hurt and comfort you somehow.
It's hard at the beginning, but I know you'll make it through. I hope it helps to know I'll be waiting here for you.
Happy 4th of July Michael! I'll be thinking of you today as we celebrate the 4th with Gram, Gramps and the rest of the family. I know that you will be there with us. I know how much you enjoyed being around the kids, swimming, and eating all the food! I miss you and all the fun we had together over the years.
I did what you asked me to do. Wendy went with me for some emotional support. It was unbelievable how appreciative they were. What's in your heart is so special Honey. I had put off going but am so glad I finally went. You are definitely helping the children and I know you were there.
Thank you for sending me that message Honey. I plan on doing it again as often as possible. I know you'll keep up your works too Michael. It means so much to so many.
Missing You / Lisa (sister in law )
Last week as I was taking Lacey to her appointment at UMass and I was (again) reminded of how much I miss you. I was thinking of the many times that you'd call me at work to make sure I was coming to see you before I went home. I'd leave work and stop by the hospital to take you out for a cigarette (or to bring you "real food") because you hated going outside with the nurses. You'd always complain that they never took you out long enough or that they rushed you when you were out there. As we drove by the spot where we used to go for your cigarette breaks I just couldn't help but smile. I remember all the talks we had, all the people watching we would do, and all the laughs we'd shared. It's those little things those silly times that I miss the most. It always seemed that we could have the best time together doing absolutely nothing!
After her appointment we stopped at Chili's so I could get a salad (they have the BEST salad there!). Again, I was reminded of you and the first time we went to Chili's after you moved back from Florida. I remember how I mispronounced the name of the dish I was ordering and you and Lacey made fun of me for days about it. You two always picked on me, but then again I made it pretty easy sometimes!
We were going to go to the Christmas Tree Shop, but we didn't have the time to do it before Selena's play. Although each time we go there I think of you as well. I am reminded of all the long drives we took to and from Job Corp each weekend so you could stay with us. I'd get up on Sunday mornings and make breakfast for all of us and we'd all sit at the table and attempt to have a normal breakfast. It never happened, but we kept trying! It's a good thing that no "adults" were at the table during those meals! HA HA HA HA !!!
There are so many things that I do that remind me of you. Simple every day things that people would take for granted. For instance, any time that I drive down 140 as we used to do each weekend and I drive by the llamas I just smile and laugh. You'd see the llamas and start screaming about how those people had llamas for pets. It didn't matter how many times we drove by your face would still light up and you'd get so excited and start screaming about the llamas. I rather enjoyed it because it stopped you from changing the station or cd for a minute! Sometimes, I think I can still hear you when I drive by them. Or how about the time you made us pull over on the side of the road so you could ask what kind of cows these people had? Oh, those are Bulgarian cows. Yes, you were completely random, but you made us laugh and we loved you for it.
So, tomorrow as we drive to another appointment I know that I will again be reminded of you and all the fun silly things we used to do together. We have so many great memories over the many years we have been friends and I am so grateful for them.
You were and always will be one of my best friends Michael. I am so glad that we were as close as we were because it allowed me to share so many great times with someone who I respected more than I could ever say. You were truly one of a kind and I am honored that you allowed me to be a part of your life for so many years.
I miss you my friend and I love you very much Michael. Close
I can't begin to tell you how very much I miss you Honey. So much has happened, so much has changed. How have we gotten through it all? I am assuming that you are at God's side, urging him on to help us deal with it all. Thank you for that. I can just hear you debating about how this or that should be fixed or dealt with. I always thought you were great at debating. I just wasn't too crazy about it when it was me you were debating with - over something you were not allowed to or supposed to do!
Please continue to stay close to me Michael. I see and hear the signs you send me. They mean so very much to me.
Tributes and Condolences
Stay close to us as you always do and let Mom and Dad know you're around. 
Add to favorites 
