Michael,

It's been two years already. I can't believe it. I feel your absence everyday. Mainly because I have to deal with our parents alone, but also because the grief is at times unbearable. You would be proud of Ary. She is a star in volleyball and a Grade A smart ass. Right in your footsteps. Lulu is also a member of the Hitler Youth. Another notch in your belt. I can't begin to articulate the pain that our family has endured after you died. It has changed everything. But you would be happy to know that we are somehow plugging along. We are not the same. And we are forever scarred. But we are going to be ok. And I know that's what you wanted. I'm so sorry you didn't get to see my girls grow up. You know they loved you so much, I mean, you basically undermined every fucking thing I ever tried to teach them. So what's not to love?

But seriously, you are so loved and so remembered. Your nieces not only honor your smart ass memory, but they further the obnoxiousness. I'm constantly telling them how annoying they are, just like I use to tell you. 

We miss you. We love you. We will never ever forget you. Thank you. - Sha

I have known Michael since high school.  He is the son of two of the greatest neighbors anybody could have.  Michael and I had very many hours of conversation, and he was always upbeat and excited about whatever he was doing.  in the beginning we  talked about lacrosse.  We talked about his biological father in Chicago, his school, his work.  We talked about his driving when he got his car.  In the beginning I didn't know about his epilepsy....he just never mentioned it.  Then we talked about it a lot.  He was very excited about the epilepsy camp that he participated in.  He was excited about his success in raising money in support of it.  He did quite well with that.

Michael was always interested in what I was doing and how my two boys were doing.  He was always smiling and engaging when he was talking to me.  That is what I remember most.  He loved his mom (Amelia) and dad (Matthew).  He loved being an uncle.  He loved his sister.  He loved the freedom that came with being able to drive.  He was interested in my work and offered to help me with it.

I was always happy to see Michael when I would drive home and see him next door.  We would invariably sneak in a few minutes for the topic of the day.

He will be missed by many!!!

 

Michael McGrann was a man of many words. He was a dear friend inside and out side of work. The conversations we had will never be forgotten. It did not matter how hectic things were Michael and I could always sit back and make a joke about something to lighten the mood. Michael was always willing to train someone at work without even being asked. I moved apartments twice while knowing Michael and he was the first to volunteer to help and the first one to show up and last to leave both times. He was one of the very people I could call a true friend just for simply being a man of his word. He will forever be in my heart and memories will be never forgotten.

Another note from someone on Facebook:
(photo is Michael doing the Wobble at the Epilepsy stroll, lol)

"'Im not sure how you are related to Mj, but I wanted to give the family my condolences. I met Mj when he was visiting at Kamp Kaleidoscope my first year in 2011. I remember the first thing he told me when I was introduced to him was I bet you'd be a good lacrosse player and I took that as a huge compliment because I'm very competitive and into sports. That was his first impression and I'll never forget it because it was such a random thing to say. I talked to him frequently after camp that year and by the time summer ended I had been diagnosed with epilepsy for one year. There's not a time limit when it comes to coping with epilepsy, but he would remind me of the good when I only saw the bad. That's the type of person I knew him as. The one who listens and wanted you to see the best in life and I appreciated that so much. I speak up quite a bit against epilepsy and I want to let you know that this tragedy will only make my voice louder and stronger. It's unfortunate we have to lose good people on the way to finding a cure, but that only makes me more persistent. Not another moment nor life should be lost to epilepsy, and I'm sorry it hit so close to home for y'all. God Bless "

Here is a note from a frined of Michael's who reached out to me on Facebook.

"When i heard the news I cried in my girlfriends lap for a half hour. actually i sobbed. just 3 weeks before i was talking to him on the phone about my upcoming birthday and how he and I would be able to go out for drink when I come visit texas at the end of the month. he spoke of your mom moving out of colleyville and I was going to try to help when i was down there. Grande (that's what we called him) helped me out when I was probably at my worst. I was battling addiction and your brother was there for me through thick and thin. He housed me when I didn't have anywhere else to go, and I can honestly say that if your brother hadn't visited me in rehab or taken me/ talked me into going to NA/AA meetings i wouldn't be alive today. i truly cannot describe to you how crushed i am to know that we will never be able to laugh together again about the stupid shit we did back then. I went to high school/ am a friend of (name witheld). I also knew (name witheld), his older brother. Michael was a great man, my own mom was hurt at his loss. I saw that the memorial service is June 8th, and I promise to try my hardest to make it. We had some great times together, I just can't believe he's gone."