It is better to have Loved and lost than 
never to have had at all.

The time we have with our children
is something to cherish. A child's 
leaving is part of a mother's
possession. And to have that
possession, no matter what may accompany it,
is not sad, it is incredibly special.

A young person dying, one cries that
it seems unnecessary-but now
the deed is done, and that which has
been fought against with all man's skill,
has come to pass. How then to make
meaning out of it? Iam bewildered by
how one copes with accidental death,
or violent death, as anyone, but this is
not ours to cope with, by the mercy
of God. We have only the strong memories
that Michael died in calm, surrounded 
by the best care and Love anyone
could have. So no feelings  of
negligence, or broken relationship
to mend. I could cry for his unfinished
life, but if I believe that God is
personal, and cares for me and
my Loved ones than even I know how
to, then how should I grieve that
he is with God? And do I grieve
for my loss of a son? Yes, if
he were truly out of touch-but
Michael is so real to me-not externally
but internally-bound up in all that
I cherish and wonder at , and reflect
on, that his reality is very present,
very real, very full of meaning. And
so I rejoice, mainly, that God
should so bless me as to make
meaning out of choas.

Death can be as simple and as
uncomplicated as life is-
If we don't make a nightmare
out of it.

While I was doing everything in my
power to help him live, he was
gently helping me grow and
understand.

At least we have our memories of
beautiful smiles, his perfect example
of unconditional Love, and our
very real experience  of  Loving
him unconditionally.

I never would have learned what
compassion and caring are all about.
But why do some of us 
have to go through so much pain
before we learn those lessons?

The dealth of a child often is the
teacher of unconditional Love,
and unconditional Love has no
claims, no expectations, needs
not even a physical presence.

As the sun rises, and the day begins,
I think of you.
As we rush around taking care of our
very important business,
I think of you.
As we are so much in a hurry going no where,
too busy to stop and smell a flower,
hear a bird sing,
smile at another person,
I think of you.
I always think of you.
I'ld call you my sweetpea
because you were so especially sweet!
and who would have ever thought, I'ld see you die.
I told you, you were the light og my life.
and now Iam in darkness afraid and crying
Help me, Oh help me, out of the night
So I may see the light again.
I saw you in pain in your hospital bed
and I held you in my arms until you were gone.
I held you as you came into this world,
and I held you as you passed into another.

I believe that children pick us as parents for our and their souls to grow.For me, it was a privilage to share my son's journey with him and to be choosen as his mother. He taught me so many wonderful things, but most of all,how precious life is and the joy of unconditional Love.

What we will always remember:
The way you laughed
The stories you told
The guidance you gave
What we will always know:
The family we shared
The sacrifices you made
The example you were
What we will always feel:
Your never-ending Love

I"ll lend you for a little time
A child of mine, God said,
For you to Love the while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven weeks,
Or thirty years,or three,
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charm to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories
As solance for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
and there with you on earth,
this child of mine I lend,
for the many souls that he will touch,
with the lessons that I send.
I looked the wide world over,
in my search for people true,
and from the throngs who crowd lifes way,
I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your Love,
nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I call around
to take him back again?
I fancy that I hear you say,
"Dear Lord, thy will be done",
For all the joy this child has brought,
all fateful risks we run.
We sheltered him with tenderness,
We Love him while we may,
and for the happiness we've known,
we shall forever grateful stay.
But you came round to call for him
much sooner than we planned
"Dear Lord, forgive this grief,
and help us understand".

God looked around the garden,
and found an empty space.
He looked down upon the earth.
and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you,
and lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
for he only takes the best.
He knew that you were weary,
and he knew that you were in pain.
He knew that you would never,
be well on earth again.
He saw the roads were getting rough,
and the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids,
and whispered peace be thine.

Quietly I'm remembering you
in the silence of my heart.
Each thought of you, a treasure
while we are now apart.

At times I'm filled with longing;
Your face I'ld Love to see,
To feel your warmth, to hear your voice;
to have you here with me.

But God has a plan; He created you
and numbered all your days.
May he hold you in his Loving arms
and surround me with his Grace.

With hope of reunion in Heaven one day,
I entrust you to his care.
Cherished memories of you live in my heart.
Your life is a gift we share.

How very softly
you tiptoed into my world.
Almost silently,
only a moment you stayed.
But what an imprint
your footsteps have left
upon my heart.

A butterfly lands on a summer flower and allows us to enjoy the uniqueness of it's design. It captures our attention and stays long enough for us to appreciate it's beauty. Then just as quickly as it appeared, it leaves us to explore another garden and a new summer flower, and to bring it's beauty to another place. Although the meeting has been brief and is no longer in our sight, we know how lucky we are to have seen it at all and it's loveliness remains because it has touched us forever-

Lori & Family: 

Mei you borrow the strength from Michael's  smile

to carry you through today Mei you borrow his courage

to help keep your head held high and proud knowing

you may have lost a son brother grandson or nephew but

you found an Angel.

************************************************

I thought of you yesterday

I thought of you today

I will think of you tomorrow.

************************************************

LET ME START BY SAYING THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS! I'M SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS! I NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER DAILY SO IM UNABLE TO GET ON LIKE I WOULD LIKE. READ YOUR WEBSITE YOU SON IS ABSOLUTLEY BEAUTIFUL!!! HE WILL FOREVER BE IN MY HEART AND I KNOW MISSED BY SO MANY! MY EAMIL ADDRESS IS DARSTGLORIA@YAHOO.COM

                                                TAKE CARE MANY BLESSINGS,GLORIA

PRECIOUS LITTLE MICHAEL I AM SENDING YOU 'SPONGBOB AND GARY THE SNAIL' I KNOW YOU PROBABLY LIKED THEM AS MOST LITTLE BOYS DO. YOU ARE WHAT HEAVEN IS MADE OF SWEETIE. LOVE LEXI'S MAW MAW BONNIE