Rest in Peace, Mike

[saska]

Hi,

Mike died last night. His son said he died peacefully. I saw him last Saturday, and he asked that I call last Thursday. He didn't want me to come Thursday or Saturday, though; and when I called yesterday, his son told me he's pretty much sleeping now, but it would be fine if I wanted to come by. I declined, saying I didn't want to intrude, that I'd said goodbye several times already and he said, "Are you sure?" I said yea, hung up the phone, cried, then called him back and said I'd changed my mind and asked if it would be OK if I came by today around midday. He said of course. But this morning Mike was gone. I'm so grateful he died peacefully, and that he's no longer suffering. I'm also glad I didn't intrude on what turned out to be his family's last hours with him. But...I wish I could've said that final goodbye. I'd grown to love Mike, and I will not ever forget him. Thanks for your prayers. Sharon

[donnah]

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I lost my Ben last month. May God be with you and the family of Mike

Donna
New Jersey

[CindyM]

Hello Saska,
I am sorry for your loss. In my circles, we call folks like you "angels." Mike and his family are lucky to have had you in their lives. Regards, Cindy

[Al]

Sorry for your loss Sharon. I have lost 2 close friends to ALS this month. I know how difficult this can be. Take care. AL.

[hboyajian]

My sympathy on your loss. It is hard not to know when "goodbye" is our last farewell. I am certain your friend Mike valued your caring love even when you could not be with him in person.

[Paty]

I am so sorry for Mike's loss, but think he's in a much better place,
may he rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Paty
Husband's Caregiver
Baja California, Mexico

[SoniaT]

Hi,

I'm terribly sorry for your loss. How are you doing? Are you holding up okay?

God bless,

SoniaT

[hope]

My husband and I are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hope and Sandy.

[saska]

Thank you all very much. SoniaT, I was very touched to see this thread more than a week after Mike's death, and am very grateful to you. Mike's memorial service was Saturday, and it was beautiful and packed. I came away from there with such a better understanding of how he came to mean so much to me -- he meant so much to so many people. Truly, Mike was a very special person who brought immense joy to all of his family and great many friends. Although I feel a huge loss (a whole lot of other losses have been brought up again with this loss, as tends to happen), I also feel so very blessed that I was able to know Mike at all. I came across this poem very recently, and it sums up how we all probably feel when we lose someone we love. I thought it was beautiful:

LOVE-GRATITUDE

The agony is so great...
And yet I will stand it.
Had I not loved so very much
I would not hurt so much.
But goodness knows I would not
Want to diminish that precious love
By one fraction of an ounce.
I will hurt,
And I will be grateful to the hurt
For it bares witness to
The depth of our meanings,
And for that I will be
Eternally grateful.
--Shirley Holzer Jeffrey

Thank you all again. Cindy, BEST OF LUCK TOMORROW! God bless all of you.

Sharon