Missing Michael...5 years later ♥ / Amy Carrizosa (Family Friend )
It has been 5 short years since Michael's accident. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him and his amazing family. Being that his home is across the street from mine I can still see him in the garage punching away at the punching bag or lifting some weights. The way he'd saunter over to our house if we were outside and grab one of the kids scooters and take it for a ride just because. The way he'd make anyone and everyone laugh or giggle. He's just one of those rare gems. Must be why his time with us was cut so short. He was just too good to be here!
To Mike Shelly Garrett & Hannah we love you so much. You are part of our family still and always will be. Our hearts are full of memories of all of us together including Michael. He will never be forgotten just sorely missed.
Michael's Star / Amy Carrizosa (Family Friend )Read >>
Michael's Star / Amy Carrizosa (Family Friend )
This Christmas brings a change for my family and I. Each year since Michael has passed, Shelly put a big bright star in Michael's window for Christmas. Now that they have moved, the star is not there in the physical form, but I can look out my window and still see it shine brightly just as I can look out my window and see Michael's smile shining brightly as if he were never gone.
Memories are quite amazing and without them, I don't know how we'd ever move on. I found the letter I wrote to Mike and Shelly just days after his accident recalling my memories of him and what he means to me and my family. It brought back the times I cherish having had known such an amazing young man.
Merry Christmas Michael...we miss you...ever long.
August 11, 2004
Dearest Mike & Shelly,
As the cards and flowers come pouring in, it is obvious of the love and friendship you have with so many people. I just wanted to express my deepest sympathies to you on a more personal level. I have been watching the two of you during these past few days and it amazes me the strength you have. So much so, that I am in awe. Celebrating Michael’s life has seemed to give you both comfort and I was hoping I could share what he meant to me.
First of all, just knowing The Kelley family and being able to say we are your friends and neighbor is an honor. The times our families have shared together are cherished memories and Michael is certainly a huge part of that.
Michael always made me smile with the little comments he would say about my glass (or 2 or 3) of wine. His demeanor with Jacob & Kyle was one of a grown man, not a teenager. I would always say to myself “what teenage boy has a heart this big to take the time to walk over and give a little 4 year old a hug or a high-5 or just to say “what’s up Kyle?”… Michael did. He would inspire me with his patience with Garrett & Hannah and his willingness to watch over them like a big brother should. He would come over just to share Play-Station tips with Jacob, who thought Michael was the coolest guy ever and would beam with pride that he was actually getting to “play” with him. The fact that he was so comfortable with us was always heartfelt. Just coming by to borrow a movie or if we had a get-together, stopping by for some meat and a snack and off he went to be with his friends. It gave me a glimpse of what life with teenage boys is going to be like. I didn’t dread it, like some people warn, but I embraced it. Seeing the relationship he and Shelly shared made me realize that big boys do love their Moms, too.
Mike and I had a conversation a couple of days ago and he expressed to me how hurt he was that he had yelled and fought with Michael so often. I said, of course, that’s our job as parents. But I have to tell you Mike, you must have said over countless conversations to us in the past “I love Michael so much!” Usually talking about something he was or wasn’t doing, being a typical teenage boy giving his parents a hard time. “I love him so much.” It was obvious how much you both loved him each and every day.
This boy has been a wonderful influence in my life and I hold a special place in my heart for him always. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a small part of his life, if only as just the “neighbor lady” across the street. Please know how much you both mean to me. You are family, not just friends.
Yours truly,
Amy
In Loving Memory, until we meet again, dear Michael
MISS YOU / CARRIN CHRISTIANSON (BIG SIS )
If I had only known It was the last walk in the rain Id keep you out for hours in the storm I would hold your hand Like a life line to my heart Underneath the thunder wed be warm If I had only known It was our last walk in the rain
If I had only known Id never hear your voice again Id memorize each thing you ever said And on those lonely nights I could think of them once more Keep your words alive inside my head If I had only known Id never hear your voice again
You were the treasure in my hand You were the one who always stood beside me So unaware I foolishly believed That you would always be there But then there came a day And I turned my head and you slipped away
If I had only known It was my last night by your side Id pray a miracle would stop the dawn And when youd smile at me I would look into your eyes And make sure you know my love For you goes on and on If I had only known If I had only known The love I wouldve shown If I had only known Close
4 years ago tomorrow, our world came crashing down and you went home to be with our LOrd..We miss you so much..But praise be to God the Father, we will see you again and we will dance and dance, and laugh, and hug, and the tears of sadness will change to tears of happiness,,We always feel your presence, Michael...and we love you beyond words..
Ordinary Day by Nick Lachey / Brittney Evers (Friend/Neighbor)Read >>
Ordinary Day by Nick Lachey / Brittney Evers (Friend/Neighbor)
The first time I heard this song I immediately thought of Michael. So I thought I’d share it with all of you :) It's a beautiful song and I think it explains how a lot of people feel about Michael.
Ordinary Day by Nick Lachey
I wish I could tell you
the things I never got the chance to
I wish I was with you now
to see you smile again
I wish we had more time
but time goes by so fast
The moment comes and
Then the moment passes by
In the blink of an eye
And If I had one wish
I Wouldn't ask for money
I wouldn't ask for fame
I wouldn't ask for the power to
make this world change
If i could have one thing
that one thing that I would chose
is one more ordinary day with you
With you
I wish I could see you
and be there where my arms could reach you
i wish I could let you know
how much you touch my life
maybe a little time is all the time we get
The Words we long to say are words that go unsaid
you can go back again
But if I had one wish
I Wouldn't ask for money
I wouldn't ask for fame
I wouldn't ask for the power to
make this world change
If i could have one thing
that one thing that I would chose
is one more ordinary day
With you
I wish we had more time
Time goes by so fast
The moment comes and
Then the moment passes by
In the blink of an eye
But if I had one wish
I Wouldn't ask for money
I wouldn't ask for fame
I wouldn't ask for the power to
make this world change, no
If i could have one thing
that one thing that I would chose
is one more ordinary day
Just one more ordinary day with you
with you Close
This is Michael's grandfather. Thank you so much for the candles that you light for Michael.
On 2-12-08, you lit a candle telling Michael that there was a friend of his that really needed him now..Evidently this friend going through some troubled times. If you care to, please email me at budeffie@yahoo.com, and perhaps I can be of some assistance??
Thank you again for your candles..They are truly inspiring and comforting..Our Michael was indeed a fine young man and he is still with us and remembered by young and old alike..
"Who Knew" / Amy Carrizosa (Neighbor/Friend)
This song is quite touching when you hear her sing and her heart aches over the loss of her friend three years ago....very fitting I think - especially for those young friends of Michael's who miss him so much.
Who Knew by Pink
You took my hand You showed me how You promised me you'd be around ah huh that's right
I took your words And I believed In everything you said to me yeah huh that's right
CHORUS 1 If someone said three years from now You'd be long gone I'd stand up and punch them out Cause they're all wrong I know better Cause you said forever And ever Who knew
Remember when we were such fools And so convinced and just too cool oh no no no
I wish I could touch you again I wish I could still call you a friend I'd give anything
CHORUS 2 When someone said count your blessings now 'Fore they're long gone I guess I just didn't know how I was all wrong But they knew better Still you said forever And ever Who Knew
Yeah yeah
I'll keep you locked in my head Until we meet again Until we until we meet again And I won't forget you my friend What happened
CHORUS 3 If someone said three years from now You'd be long gone I'd stand up and punch them out Cause they're all wrong and That last kiss I'll cherish Until we meet again And time makes it harder I wish I could remember But I keep your memory You visit me in my sleep My darlin' who knew
My darlin' my darlin' who knew My darlin' I miss you My darlin' who knew
Thank you / Bud KELLEY (Grandfather)
Jennifer, I do not have your email address, but thank you for this beautiful tribute that you posted for Michael..It is beautiful and inspirational, and very comforting..Thank you again and God bless, Bud and Effie (Grandpa and Grandma) Close
I cannot believe that it has been 3 years since we last saw your smiling face and heard your laughter. I still replay the images of the night of your accident in my head daily....I see you standing on the sidewalk smiling and talking to us when we returned from dinner, and you telling me that "everything is undercontrol" and me telling you to "Have fun and be careful"....Within 10 minutes of that conversation with you, everything changed! Gosh how I wish that you had listened to me!!!I still ask myself WHY?? I have feelings of sadness, guilt, helplessness... I know that we will see you again and then I can ask you the question that I wish so much I had the answer to, which is "What in the world were you thinking???" The lives of all of us that loved you were forever changed the night of August 7, 2004. As much as I wish that you were still here and making us laugh here on Lodgepole Lane, I know that God had a bigger plan for you! We feel your presence all around us and know that you are here with us always.
At your grandparent's anniversary the other night, your Dad was talking about you and how you were there celebrating with us....I looked across the pool and saw Aubrey standing there smiling and listening to your Dad talk and it reminded me how much things have changed since you have been gone....Aubrey was only 4 months old when you left us...I will never forget the knocks on the door when you would come over and ask me if you could "Hold the baby"! You were like a proud big brother. We talk about you often to her, and she will always know how much you looked forward to her arrival and the love you gave her when she was born!
You are One-of-a- Kind Michael Kelley and we miss you more and more each day!!!
The following was written by a dear friend who I served with for many years on the Police Department. With his consent, I am sending it on, because our Michael is our Pathfinder
For Michael Kelley
Bless the Pathfinders who go before us Showing us the way so we will not get lost Securing it so we will have a safe journey Awaiting there for us to join them into Eternity
Written for Michael Kelley by Bob Dickerson in memory of him and for those he left behind......for now.
Michael, you are our Pathfinder and we know that the way is through Jesus Christ, who will allow you be our Pathfinder and bring us to Him. Grandson....you are so missed, every second of every day..Your love and your presence is always felt.
Mario's Father isn't doing too well with his health. His Diabetes is hard for him to control and he has been suffering several small strokes, among other things. The Doctors told the family he may not make it through the year. Perhaps you can wrap your beautiful Heavenly Angel Wings around him and guide him through this time?
Your presence is always around, Michael. Especially when Garrett, Hannah or your Mom and Dad are with us...you shine through my dear...you shine through. We all continue to miss you dearly and our memories of you never fade.
Everytime I hear this song I know you're there with me! I love you and miss you so much!!! ~Sharyl~
"One Moment More"
Tell me that someday you'll be returning And maybe Maybe I'll believe It's just enough to see a shooting star To know you're never really far It's just enough to see a shooting star To know you're never really gone
Oh, please don't go Let me have you just one moment more Oh, all I need All I want is just one moment more
Oh, please don't go Let me have you just one moment more Oh, all I need All I want is just one moment more You've got to hold me and maybe I'll believe
Beloved Grandson / Bud And Effie Kelley (Grandpa and Grandma )
Dearest Grandson, Just passing this way and wanted to visit with you for awhile. Seems like, as the time goes by, missing you only increases. Garrett has started another baseball season and is doing great. He speaks of you often and you are such a tremendous inspiration to him. He will be starting another football camp in July and I know as always, he will feel your presence as we all do..Hannah has started playing softball and she is doing quite well. The best hitter on the team. As always, your Grandma and I try to make as many of their games as we can. Your Grandma and I travel by Juice It Up quite often, and are always reminded of the Sunday we stopped in when you were working and you wanted to make us your "'special brew". You did..It was good, but I still don't know what it was. We decided that we did not want to know when we found out that you were cleaning the glasses with your apron and always had the dirtiest apron there..Oh Michael...only you!! We pass by the athletic fields you played on as a child and as a young man and so many wonderul memories are brought back. Your Grandma and I are so fortunate and blessed, in that when we go to church each Sunday, we are able to look up and see the Baptismal font where you were baptized as a child. You are never far away my Grandson..Just over the hill a little ways. Just a prayer away. Just a thought away. Just a smile away. We will soon rejoice when we will be together again. Laughing, dancing, and celebrating an eternity with our Lord. A togetherness that will never end. No more tears or heatache, just happiness and joy. A time when old things will have passed away, and all things will have been made new. We miss you our beloved Michael and you are always a part of us...You are so loved my Grandson Grandma and Grandpa
Remembering/ Amy Carrizosa (Neighbor, Friend )
Just the other day Kyle and I were at the store together. Out of the blue he asked me "Mom, when is Michael's Birthday?" and I told him "April 13th"...he paused and said "Is he still 17?" and I said, "That is a wonderful question!"
It amazes me that when Michael left us, Kyle had just turned 5 and Michael is still on his mind. Wondering, missing, remembering. We as adults, have our own memories of Michael, but thinking back at age 5, who made an impression on you? I can't think of one friend or neighbor that I reflect on. Michael was an amazing spirit...a gift, I think, to all of us priveleged enough to have had even the briefest of memories of him.
Wow, it's been a while... / Melissa Hooper (Firend)Read >>
Wow, it's been a while... / Melissa Hooper (Firend)
Hey Mike... Wow I haven't been on here in quite some time. I think of you often, and miss you all the time... It really sucks not to have your best firend here when you need them... I have been dying to talk to you, sometimes at night I just talk in my head and hope you listen.... Well I just wanted to let you know how much I love you and I always will, and even though the years go by I will never forget how much joy you brought me. You were always there for me when I needed you most... Well anyways, thanks for being my Gardian Angel... I know your watching over me.... Thank you! I love you sooooo much and I can't wait to see you in heaven... Close
Merry Christmas Michael!!! / Jennifer Dugan (Neighbor & Friend )
As we celebrate Christmas down here on Earth, we can only imagine the celebration Michael gets to be a part of up in heaven...Merry Christmas Buddy! We all miss you today and every day!! I found this poem, and thought I would share it with all of you! The Stockings Were Hung
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care But one special stocking was no longer there All that was left were the memories bittersweet Of a life that had ended so incomplete
The family had pictures all gathered around That sometimes made all of them tear up and frown For the sorrow and sadness without their sweet child Made it difficult for the whole family to smile
Although there were times when they felt him so close As if they were feeling some kind of a ghost The signs that were sent were so special and clear That they felt that he truly was so very near
They often would talk to him as if he was there Sometimes they would smile but also shed tears For each Christmas that came brought with it such pain That they felt in their hearts would always remain
Then one special moment on one special day He came to them and simply took them away To fly through the heavens and up to the stars A beautiful place that was not very far
He showed them where they would all join once again A place full of beauty no sorrow or pain A place where he is happy with heavenly friends A place where we too will also ascend
After their amazing visit was through This family was no longer terribly blue For they finally realized one day not to far They would all be together on a heavenly star
My Grandson / Bud Kelley (Grandfather)
My Dearest Grandson, We have gone from Autumn to Winter now, but as the seasons change, you continue to be in our hearts and thoughts, and are missed so much more then we can put into words. I oft times think of the last time you and I talked. It was a Thursday before the Saturday that you went away. You had come over to our house with your Mom and Dad, and Garrett and Hannah, and all of the family was getting ready to leave. You and I had a chance to walk outside before the others and were talking in the garage. I will always believe that this is a time God gave us to visit for one last time....on this earth. God does work in such wondrous ways. and I had a chance to tell you how proud I was of you that yu had passed your Algebra and that you would be going back to King in September and that you were working out with the varsity football team. Your remark to me was "Grandpa, I just want to make you and my Dad proud of me", and then, praise God, our Lord gave me the opportunity to say to you "Michael, there has never been a day in your life that your Father and I were not proud of you". At that, you smiled that big beautiful smile of your's that said "everything is ok". I am so glad we were able to talk that afternoon. Garrett's football season is over and he had a great year. I was able to pray with him and his team, in the endzone, before each game, just as I prayed when you and Jordan were playing. I must tell you my Grandson, we always felt your presence at each prayer and at every game. Garrett remarked so many times that he could feel you playing right alongside him and helping him "make the tackles". Michael, our lives go on, but so much is missing with you gone, but not from our hearts. We get our encouragement and comfort from knowing that soon, we will all be reunited again, and be as one. We will all dance and laugh, but there will be no more tears, because all of the tears and heartache will be gone..All will be made new. And...we will know all the answers and will know the answers to "I Can Only Imagine" I love and miss you Slick,,,,so very,,,very much. Grandpa Close
hey michael. well last night i had a dream about you. i felt so real. it was like you were still here. it was at night and i was here at my house and somebody knocked on the door. my mom opened and and shouted "MICHAEL!" but you had already passed away. but i was the only one who new that. everyone else acted as if you didnt. i was so lost. you came in and just sat and talked with us. and i didnt say one word. i was shocked. then you were about to leave and before you left you pulled me over to the side and said " dont be scared. its ok. im ok. im here." then you gave me the biggest and warmest hug ever! you held me in your arms as i started to cry. my paretns were staring at me like i was crazy. i didnt want to let you go. then the lat words i heard out of your mouth were "dont be scared of what lies in the future. take your chances. if it changes you then let it. nobody said it is going to be easy. but im telling you its going to be worth it." then that was it. you left out the door with the biggest smile ever. like always. im ot quiet sure what you told me means. but what ever it is im following what you told me. i love you and miss you lots. take care.
Hey Monkey, 2 years and 1 day since I last saw your smiling face. I miss you so much. I miss everything about you. You picked great friends in your lifetime. Everytime I'm around them I feel like you're either around the corner or on your way. I miss our talks in the car I miss your teasing me and I miss seeing your feet hang off the bed when I would check on you at night while you were sleeping. Hannah has your toes and Garrett has your comedic spirit. What a joy you were in my life. I Love You and Miss you Bigger than the World.xoxoxoxoxo
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