Sunday, May 23, 2010

One Thing FOR SURE....

Yes, I can tell you ONE thing for sure. The love and companionship of friends is PRICELESS! Without all of your Prayers, Thoughts and Comments, we would have had it much tougher. Knowing of all your prayers and support gave us the strength to get through this most difficult time. I can never Thank You all enough.

We asked and you responded. When we got that dreaded call of losing Mikel and didn't know where to turn, we asked for your Prayers. You responded! I normally get around 225 hits on the days I publish this Blog . That day, May 12Th, we received 421....plus 59 comments. I have read those comments over and over and gotten so much comfort from them. I am sure I will read them again and again. Thank You all so very much. You will never know how helpful that was.  And, on top of that was all the phone calls, emails and dozens of cards. It certainly shows what a wonderful life we have and the friends we are blessed with. God Bless you all!!!

I have read the poems and personal comments in the cards we received over and over, too. They are all so special and comforting. So many Bible verses were quoted and I studied them all. Through this loss and the recent loss of Scott, my faith in the Lord continues to strengthen. It always reminds me that we have so much to be thankful for. So much, that it's impossible to put them all in words.

Mikel is all memories now and I remember so many of the good times we had. He was my first born. I was so proud of him. He was born back in 1955...55 years ago. I was a mere 20 years old. I always said "He and I grew up together". He was my little Cowboy. I took him everywhere, showed him off to everyone.  He was always such a good baby.  Back in those days, I was a Rodeo Cowboy, following rodeo's riding bucking horses and bulls for a living. Those are great memories that I will have forever. It was looking at him that made me realize that following Rodeo's was no place to raise a son. He was sleeping in dresser drawers at motels and the sun and dust was miserable for him at the rodeo's. His Mother had to shield the hot sun and try to keep dust and flies from bothering him. We didn't have much A/C back in those days. It was that, that made me sign off the rodeo circuit and get a real job. In my opinion, it was no place for a family man. I never looked back.  After a few years of driving Semi trucks and studying, I became a State Trooper on the Nebraska State Patrol. Mikel became a "Policeman's Son". That's not easy, but he loved it.

I remember one time when I was working nights and sleeping days, he was about 5 years old. He got in my Patrol car and got out my hand held "Stop Sign" and was stopping cars out in front of our house. A neighbor called his mother and told her what he was doing. The neighborhood had a good laugh about that.  Ah yes, there are many, many wonderful memories. I thank God that he let me have him to enjoy  for 55 years...


It was such a beautiful day in Tucson, AZ on the day of Mikel's Funeral.


Mikel still had a little Cowboy in him.  He always enjoyed his boots and cowboy hat. He was proud that his Dad was a Cowboy. He had a special love for my Dad, his Grandad McFall.  The "Cowboy Boots" that he loved to wear are now mine, sitting in my house as a Memorial to Mikel.

The Clock on the table was a special gift to him from Scott, his younger brother, who he gave a bone marrow transplant to a couple of years ago. Mikel and Scott were good friends and he was so saddened to lose him. The clock is now his Mothers to treasure.
Below are a few pictures from his Funeral taken by our sincere, true and loving friend Gina Thurston.



The Military Color Honor Guard was so impressive and they are active military members from Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vesta, AZ. where Mikel was stationed and lived for several years. He loved the Military.


Mikel and his two Sons, taken a few years back. That's Stephen on the left and Michael on the right.   He loved his boys.



This is a picture of Mikel and Karen taken 18 years ago at their Wedding. He was a proud, young Soldier.


My Boots......Thank You Mikel. They will be retired in your honor my Man. Forever displayed in my home.

May you rest in Peace and be united with your brother Scott. I know you boys will be right by my side.

Thank You all for bearing with us during these times of grieving. 

We are preparing for our departure from North Ranch in Arizona to our place in the Black Hills of South Dakota. That place is special for us and I know it will help us heal our souls. We hope to leave Tuesday morning and if the Lord is willing, we will be in Church with our our friends in Custer next Sunday..

We'll be going to our little Church in Wickenburg this morning to say our farewells and to thank everyone for their prayers and support.  We'll be back in a few months. 

Thank you all for stopping by.

Mike

This Blog is Published every Sunday and Wednesday..

15 comments:

All Because Two People Fell In Love said...

A wonderful tribute in honor of Michael. Gina and I are so glad that God not only put you in our lives, but, he allowed us to be there with both of you during this difficult time. We miss you and mom so much and look forward to seeing y'all up in Custer.

We Love Y'all
Your kids

Roadrunner Chronicles said...

Mike and Pat ~ we are so sorry for you loss. Your sons would have been proud of the way you carry on and honor their name.

I like your perspective and faith. It is noteworthy. May God bless you two in the coming weeks and months.

Safe travels to Custer.

Randy and Pam

Sam&Donna Weibel said...

What a great tribute by Mike to his son, no words can do justice to the love that he showed in his words about Micheal, Donna & I have prayed for you guys and will continue to ask for guidance for you guys in the coming days, to lose two sons in such a short period of time is truly heartbreaking.Mike be proud of those boots because it took quite a man to fill them. We send our love and prayers. Sam & Donna.

Ali Workentin said...

Thanks for sharing your memories of your son Mikel with us.

We lost a son 32 years ago. It was a hard season but with the love and support of friends, family and the LORD we made it through. It is good to hear that you are surrounded by so many that love and care for you.

May you have safe travels as you return to Custer. Know that many of us think of you often.

Nancy and Dennis said...

Mike, you are a tower of strength and a special father to two very special young men who are once again together. Take good care of Pat and yourself.

LakeConroePenny,TX said...

You raised him as your buddy, and you made him good.
Ours is not to reason why, but God needed him now.
Happy Trails, Penny, TX

Rick said...

This was a wonderful tribute to your son, Mike. Thanks so much for sharing a few memories with us.

Rod Ivers said...

A touching tribute to Michael, that shows just how much he meant to you. You are rightfully proud of the honor he achieved as a member of the military. Loyce and I are very sorry for the loss of both of your sons, something no one should have to endure. But strength from God should help show the way thru these trying times.

Rod

Sharon Del Rosario said...

I was touched by your tribute to your son, and feel enriched by your memories of his life. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Perhaps we'll see you in the Black Hills.

David, Sheila and Stella the Beagle said...

That is a wonderful write-up on Mikel, you are a great father. I lost my father at his age 57 just 7 years after we first went Pronghorn hunting near Beaver Creek in WY. His words at that time in '93 were that I should do what I wanted in life young as old age might not come. I am glad I took his words and ran with them for no matter what the time passes all too quickly.

Dad himself was part mountain man, part cowboy ... he couldn't decide which at times. His Lakota friends called him "Many Tails" after observing his love of squirrel hunting. Dad had a truck camper for many years, but 100:1 him and ma dragged their tipi all over the USA. Many campgrounds wouldn't take tipi's so he made friends with ranchers all over the west & midwest camping next to their creeks. In many ways their 16' tipi was more comfortable than any RV. His greatest disappointment was having to wear trifocals so he could see both sights and the target all at the same time. Even though I could outshoot all of my teachers in middle-school conservation class, at age 57 dad could still outshoot me 99% of the time. In 1974 after the 2nd oil embargo, how many 13 year-olds got to hand-build a 360 s.f. log cabin with their dad, where the five of us lived in the woods on the family farm? We hand carried water from the spring, chopped wood, and planted a huge garden. It was hard to want to go to school! I thought we were the richest people in the world at the time, we needed so little money at the time (that was before I discovered cars and girls!).

You folks have a safe trip back to SD. It is snowing gently here in the canyon near Ouray, CO this morning, but everything is budded out and the aspens are shifting to bright green!

David & Sheila Knapp

Jerry and Suzy said...

Mike and Pat, it was our honor to be with you at the Memorial Service. You have a fine tribute to Mikel in your blog, a special place in your hearts for always, and even his boots in your home. Take care in Custer.

Debbie Goode said...

Just wanted you to both know that we are thinking of you...God Bless

Faith is a beautiful thing!

Bruce said...

What a great write up Mike. I am still at a loss for words. You seem to be handling this loss pretty well but I know your heart hurts. I pray God will heal that hurt and keep those memories alive for you.

JB said...

A great tribute Mike for a man who must have been a wonderful source of pride for his father. We have not met but through reading your blog it seems that is a small detail that will be rectified when the time is right. Travel safe to SD. Vaya con Dios.

Karyn-Lee said...

Just stopped by to see how you are doing. It's funny, this BLOG world. Even though you never have met the people that you read about, you revel in their joy and cry with their sorrow.
Parents should never outlive their children, but your faith will keep you strong and another angel will be sitting in your shoulders.
God bless.
Thinking of you.

Karyn