Michael at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. This was such a fun afternoon! We tried on almost every crazy hat in this store. It was so funny and we had a great time just being goofy.
Michael's beautiful, happy and healthy baby girl, Peytan.
Here is Michael's beautiful daughter, Peytan, with her mommy, Julie, Michael's loving girlfriend. Julie is a wonderful mommy and she loves Michael very, very much. Julie will definitely make sure Peytan knows all about who her daddy was, how much he is loved and missed and how much he loved her and her mommy.
My parents designate Saturday evenings for their relax time. We would go to their house and just hang out together on their lanai. We all enjoyed those evenings together; laughing, talking, reminiscing and just having a good time together as a family.
This was my first trip to Universal Studios. We had a great time with the family! Michael and I HAD to get our picture taken when we saw Scooby!
This is a cute picture of Michael as a baby with his older sisters, Marta (left) and Michele (right). Later in life Olan Mills was a dreaded trip for us; however, I'm glad mom made us go because today we can cherish the pictures of us together as children. (Thank you, Mom! (:)
This picture was taken at our home in Michigan; Michael has his pouty face on. (Check out our Big Wheels "parked" in the driveway!)
This picture was taken in about 1993; I was getting ready to go to a party for one of my friends. Mom took this picture after she finished helping me get ready. Michael was about 12 here.
This is another great picture that I will cherish. Michael and Rob were friends since middle school. Rob and I were married in March of 2006 and Michael was one of the groomsmen, naturally. Rob joined Michael in the afterlife on May 4, 2013. They are together again causing a ruckus, I'm sure!
Anyone who knows Michael knows that he hated being center of attention. So, the reason he looks so thrilled in this picture is because he had caught the garter at my wedding. The spotlight was on him; everyone was clapping and cheering for him. He was so nervous, but still happy; it was really funny.
I love this picture of my mom and brother. He was walking her down the isle to her seat at my wedding. Mom looks so happy here; I'm sure Michael was saying something funny to make her laugh.
I remember we were laughing so hard taking this picture because our grandma told Michael to stand up straight; he was trying so hard to make sure his back was straight that he kept telling us he felt like he was going to fall over backwards! Marta and I were hysterical and it was difficult to get a good picture.
This is a poem I found. I don't know who wrote it, but it helps describe our feelings about losing someone so special.
Michael never thought he would have a child, but when he and Julie became pregnant, he was nervous, afraid and mostly excited. When they found out they were having a daughter, he was ecstatic! He would've been a great Daddy and he would've loved his daughter so very much. Peytan is such a happy, beautiful little girl. I know Julie will keep his memory alive for Peytan forever. Our hearts are irreparably broken, but our love for him will never die.
Good night, my sweet, sweet baby boy, until we meet again ...
Michael was my sonny boy from the day he was born. He was a wonderful, happy baby; an adorable, loving little boy; a handsome, respectful adolescent; and grew into a funny, warm and entertaining man. Even though he was shy, everyone who met him liked him immediately and always commented on what a great guy he was. I will cherish the time we had with him and will always hold dear the memories we created. He loved his family, he loved Julie and his baby girl, Peytan, even though he never got to meet her. He loved his "boys" Stanley, Austin and Barry, and was compassionate when it came to animals. Michael liked to be silly and would always try to make you smile and laugh. He usually succeeded, too. There is an enormous void in our lives since he left. But he will live on in our hearts and through our little Peytan who resembles her Daddy. No one can ever fill his shoes (and he really liked shoes!), but we will keep his memory alive.
I remember sharing everything with Michael. He was my best friend, my body guard, a fantastic uncle, a wonderful brother and a great son. Michael stood by me no matter what, for as long as I can remember. We definitely had our ups and downs, but we always got through our sibling arguments and he never stopped looking out for me. Growing up, especially as teenagers and our early twenties, we did everything together. I will especially miss going to concerts with him. We went to so many of them together and had a blast at each and every one. My favortie was the second time we saw Papa Roach. I had sprained my ankle and was on crutches, but he inisisted we go anyway. He carried me on his back so we could go backstage. Most every fun memory I have included my baby brother. Michael was a truly wonderful man; he will carry on in spirit forever through all of us who loved him.
Attached is one of the Papa Roach songs we used to listen to all the time.
