Random Thoughts

The following are some of my random thoughts, lately.

There is a whole new meaning to storing up treasures in heaven.

Is it wrong to be anxious for Christ to return ASAP?

I have lost a part of me, my flesh and blood. The closest connection.

One more day. One more chance. One more...no longer cliche'.

Ackerpersaingogicky. Only a few will understand that.

Freebird.

The following are comments from some of Mike's family.

I can hear his voice in my head and feel his hug around my arms. These are senses I hope to never forget. He will be in my heart and my thoughts forever! I will be happy for the day when we are all reunited. I love you Michael and I wish so much we would have had more time together then just short visits here and there.

Catherine

When I think of Michael (I always called him Michael) I will never forget the way he always greeted me with a smile and a gentle, “Hey Aunt Libby, how are you?” then always a big hug.

Libby

I always called him Michael too or I guess I should say "Miiichael." He loved the way I said his name. He had a way of reading into your mind and just "getting you" when it seemed not many people always did. It didn't matter how long in between the visits were he welcomed us with big open arms and started just where we left off. I feel his presence so much more than I ever could have imagined. It's difficult for those left behind but his absolute joy now brings comfort. I love you Miiichael.

Julie

Where to start? Mike has always had such a special place in my heart. From the great big bear hugs, to the comforting words, "I Love you!" You could always feel the love that he shared just by being with him. I am gratetful that I got to be a part of his life. He always made you realize that there was always someone that was worse off than you! His Love fills the void in my heart. Love to Mike the big Teddy Bear in the Sky!

Renee


I miss Mike all the time. When I sit back and think about the same things that he and I have been through it is amazing how much alike we are. Everytime I go to clean his mom's house or we have a family get together I wish so much to have him greet me one more time with the powerful handshake that he used to always give me and the "Hey cuz" greeting he always met me with. Thankfully by the grace of God I will experience this again but he will be meeting me on the streets of gold!!! Until I see you again Cuz I Love You!!!

James

In thinking about Michael and his life, and all the loved ones who are left here wounded and wondering, I remembered a passage from one of my favorite authors, Maya Angelou.
In Letter to My Daughter, Angelou writes:
I find it very difficult to let a friend or beloved go into that country of no return. I answer the heroic question, “Death, where is thy sting?” with “It is here in heart, and my mind, and my memories.”
I am besieged with painful awe at the vacuum left by the dead. Where did she go? Where is he now? Are they, as the poet James William Johnson said, resting in the bosom of Jesus?...
I can find relief to the questions only when I can see that I am not obliged to know everything.
I remind myself that it is sufficient to know what I know and that what I know may not always be true. When I find myself filling with rage over the loss of a beloved, I try as soon as possible to remember that my concerns and questions should be focused on what I learned, or what I have left to learn, from my departed love.
What legacy was left which can help me in the art of living a good life?
Did I learn to be kinder, to be more patient and more generous, more loving, more ready to laugh and more easy to accept honest tears?
If I accept those legacies of my departed beloveds, I am able to say thank you to them for their love and thank you to God for their lives.

Thanks, Michael, for your smile, your laugh, your hugs. Thank you, God, for Michael.

Jeannie.

Absence stares you in the face

An empty easy chair. A certain empty seat at the table. A voicemail unanswered. A punchline with less laughter. A job unfilled. Empty shoes. A tractor with no rider. A picture with no life for comparison. A question with no answers. Staring at absence. Visualizing presence. Wishing for life.

I had no idea of the power of grief. The power of absence. The world without Mike. Everyday I wake up I am reminded as absence stares back at me. It glares, it penetrates. How can nothing look back at me and hurt so much? Isn't absence the opposite of presence? Nothing the opposite of something? Nothing can hurt me. Something can. But in this case, it is the opposite. If you are confused, welcome to my world.

I promised to post others' sentiments and memoirs of Mike. I am still collecting those. I wish to post more of that and less of me. I thank each of you for continuing to share this painful journey, however. For me, writing is a way to express and vent. I can write better than I can speak my feelings. My tongue is mute when it comes to speaking my feelings of this loss. If only I could silence the angst in my head. Relieve the angst in my body.

No one told me that grief manifests physically. Maybe they did. I don't remember. But I know it showed up. It stares at me. It cuts me. It hurts me.

On behalf of the entire Mike Watson Family, thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Love,
Rhonda