The Funeral

  When we moved to this mountaintop in Tennessee in 1996 we were accepted kindly into this community. Our neighbors are the most kind and caring people that we have ever met. Every Christmas we light up our yards to the extreme to make some smiles for them and warm their hearts as they pass by on a cold winter's night. The morning that Michael died, I think that every person in the neighborhood came to our house and flooded us with every kind of food and supply that you could possibly imagine. Our table and counters were covered with so much food and our refrigerator was over loaded. We had enough food to feed an army for days which helped us out so much because we never expected to have so many people arrive here. Someone was cleaning the house up and someone else was washing our dishes and someone else was in the barn watering the horses for us. The neighbors just jumped in and took over. It was all so much appreciated because we were all in shock and had to arrange for a funeral that we were so unprepared to face.

  I thought about what Michael would have wanted on this day. I felt that Michael's car had to be present and Dan should be the one to drive it. The Ford Escort was Michael's first car, his pride and joy and he loved it. The car had been parked at the garage broken down as usual with numerous things wrong with it. Michael was supposed to have everything repaired this summer when he got a job to pay for the parts himself, but now it had to be ready to roll and it had to be done in record time. People scrambled to get it ready. It had a cracked windshield on the passenger's that was never fixed so a company from Chattanooga came right out to replace it. Something was wrong with an electrical thing so a friend of Michael's who is a mechanic fixed it. It had two flat tires and a dead battery, so Dad rushed to town to buy them while Dan washed the car. My friend who owns a printing shop printed out a memorial with angels for the back window of the car. She delivered it personally and put it on the window for us.

  The service was given by Michael's Pastor, Dennis Boston of Hopewell Baptist Church. Ms. Mary and Ms. Patty from Michael's Church sang sadly but sweetly and Michael and Daniel's friend Josh played Amazing Grace on his saxophone. I wrote the eulogy which was read by my sister in law Kathy Garrison from Paris, Kentucky. Kathy was lovely. As Jerry and I and Daniel made our way to the front row holding hands I reached out to Michael's girlfriend Tabitha to join us. Michael would have loved to see his little Tabby by my side. I know he was watching.

  The Chapel was packed to capacity. I have never seen so many teenagers at one place except at school or in the mall. It was the most wonderful sight to see these beautiful kids that Michael loved so much come together to honor him. Michael's teachers were there which I know made Michael smile, as well as our friends, neighbors, and relatives from Florida, Kentucky, and Ohio.

   Daniel drove the car without a license but for this day, it didn't matter. He had to, for Michael. I thought it would be fitting for Tabitha to ride in the car in the passenger seat where she always rode with Michael. Jerry and I followed behind them in our truck.

 After the funeral, so many people graced our yard. Dan parked Michael's car out front by the road and their friends adorned it with flowers. I noticed that when someone would drive by our house, they would stop or go very slow to show their respect and honor Michael, whom this community would miss, but remember with a smile. The Mountain was sad, quiet, and very respectful. The kids gathered around the car and all told stories about their times with Michael. There was a lot of bittersweet laughing. Afterwards, they went to the end of our farm and set of fireworks for nearly 30 minutes. Michael would have loved that noisy celebration in his honor, especially since he got cheated out of his Graduation/4th of July party that would have had tons of fireworks sparkling in the sky.

   Word spread fast throughout the Miniature Horse world which I have been a member of for years via the internet. We share one thing in common, the love of our little horses; but who knew how this terrible time would unite people to form a greater bond all over the world that would be so profound? Within hours of hearing of our tragedy, plans were set in place to help us. Support was pouring out for us in many different ways from across the United States and other countries. There was a balloon release, butterfly releases, dove release, and candlelight vigils going on all over the world. Our phone rang for hours, days, and weeks from people everywhere that wanted us to know that our family is loved. We couldn't understand some of the callers from lands overseas but that didn't matter. We knew what they were saying to us. There were thousands of prayers, cards, letters, and an assortment of gifts delivered here daily. Our family continues to be overwhelmed by the love that has been shown to us during this time of our despair. How could one boy How could one boy from a mountaintop in Tennessee cause such an outpouring of love from people that he never met all around the world? I believe now that a lot of people were truly touched by an Angel; by Michael, My Archangel.

  Jerry visits the cemetery every day but I don't go there much except to keep up with the flowers. We know that Michael's friends must visit him there a lot. There are always a variety of things left there for him; a can of his favorite Dr. Pepper, a pack of gum, flowers, and little statues of angels,.......It's like the kids are sneaking him little presents all the time. I'll bet Michael is giggling about that. I know he is. It's beautiful. The kids are beautiful. But it's not over. Michael would should still be here with us. It will really never be over for us.........Godspeed My Darling...........

Inscription on bottom reads
"Why does it take a minute to say hello but forever to say goodbye"
Michael loved that quotation.