The Unexpected

On May 31st we lost a young man from our ward (church congregation) to suicide.  He has been a friend to my boys for the past 13 years and always a smiling face to greet us.  I had so many thoughts run though my mind! I thought of the unseen sadness that must of overcame him, the horrific pain his parents would feel and the way it would effect my boys and so many others for many years to come.    As a mother, it was so painful to watch my boys cry like babies and to watch as they wondered how they could not of known of their friend's suffering.  They struggled with thoughts of what they might have done differently!  Conner had been calling and texting him that evening wondering where he was as Conner waited at the church for him to arrive.  They almost always would go to Burger King to get milkshakes on Wednesday nights after church meetings.
This has caused our boys to think about their own lives and what is truly important.  This has pushed them to improve and contemplate where they want to spend their time as they realize time can be shorter than expected.  
Michael will never be forgotten!  He is a wonderful young man with such kindness and love toward others.  I say he still is these things because Michael isn't gone he is just no longer with us.  We will honor Michael by living our best lives and by reaching out to others.  If we have a kind thought we will act on it.  Every time we hear the song "Nearer My God to Thee" we will think of our friend and remember him playing it on the piano.  We will remember what we lost and also the perspective we have gained to help us change for the better!
I believe in Christ!  I know that the power of the atonement reaches all of us...Michael too!  We are not to judge as there is only one perfect judge.  God be with you till we meet again dear Michael.


                                                         Conner, Cameron and Michael

                                                              Conner's Birthday Party

                                                  Eric, Michael and Conner at Cub Scouts