My friend Michael was killed Thursday evening in a car wreck right up the road from his Parent's home in Florala, AL. Michael is one of those people who weaves his way into your heart space in such a way that even when days or weeks would pass and we had no contact, he was always apart of me, and I truly believe, I, apart of him.

He was a quite person,I think he got that from his Daddy, always deep in thought pondering the wonders of the Universe, or simply watching what was taking place around him. He was deep, he was complex, but always remarkable in who he was in life and how he would show up and be who he was! Michael was deeply spiritual, those who were close to him knew that, though some didn't understand his concepts, he was spiritual none the less, and it was his connection to that indwelling Spirit that saw him through many challenges he faced and would face quite often. No matter what he did, or didn't do, I knew I loved him. I'd get aggravated at him when I felt he was being weak; once AGAIN, but my love and my willingness to be there for him never really faltered, because real love never gives up, it may walk away, or take a break now and then, but real love endures even when people can't be together face to face or see eye to eye. I couldn't stay mad or upset with him long, I just couldn't.



We shared some very special times together, we would talk about life, we would laugh, bust out singing too... There were times where he would just break down and cry, and I would rock him in my arms like a baby sitting in the floor. He was embarrassed, and yet I felt somehow blessed to have been the one to be there. I would talk with him, even when he didn't want to talk, but he would listen as I bantered on about how he could do anything he set his mind to doing and that he had the power within him to do greater things than he could imagine in those moments of feeling lost and afraid.....

That's what you do you love someone... I loved my friend, even with the problems he faced, he was worthy of being loved and honored.
Tomorrow is his service, and his Mom has asked me to sing and say a few words about her son, the son she has loved and stood by with every piece of her heart and soul... I will do my best for her, for I have learned to love her so much. I love that family, I really do. Through my friendship with Michael, I have been blessed to find the love of his family as well.... I hurt for them, I feel their pain, their sense of loss. Nothing anyone can say, or do can ease those feelings, that kind of hurting. Truth is, I feel them too, I hurt, I grieve and I cry. I feel a deep seated sadness, not for Michael, because I know, I believe, he is well, he is at peace in the arms and in the light of all that God is. I hurt for all of us who are left behind to now only remember the wonder and uniqueness of him, to miss his smile, his phone calls, his hugs and his loving presence walking into a room. I will never forget the time we shared, I can't forget and I don't regret a single moment of any of it, except now that it is over. I know that love never dies, the heart connection lives on, just as the soul does.... We are forever connected through the love that we experience and share while living.
I thank you Michael for all that you are, and will continue on to be. I thank you Michael for shining your light into my world. Be at peace my friend and know that you have truly, truly made a difference in this world. I am so honored to have had the privilege of knowing and loving you.