Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Dear, Sweet Michael

Michael peacefully passed on to the Lord this morning.

Amazingly, one of the nurses read the 23rd psalm and said a prayer, then Jon looked out the window, and there was a beautiful full rainbow. Michael went out in style. Just amazing.

Our current thinking is to have visitation on Friday, with a service on Saturday. I'll post the final arrangements.

Thank you all again for your wonderful messages, thoughts, and prayers. They have been an endless source of joy to learn what a positive difference Michael made with so many people. You have touched us the way he touched you. Thank you.

Bruce, Michael's dad

61 comments:

renee Johnson said...

In the ams of an Angel, fly away from here...
God bless each of you.
Love, Love,Love
from Texas watching the geese fly south at dawn,
Renee

Anonymous said...

Bruce,Barb,Jon,and Katie
I'm sitting here numb,sad and in tears. Part of my family is gone.
What a loss, He would have been such a great Doctor. All of my love to all of you. Peace be with you.
Danny

Anonymous said...

Too good for this world...

Michael helped and inspired more people in his time than most people do in a lifetime. I think back to the post on his trips to East Timor. Who would have ran out of the clinic to get a taxi to venture into that kind of hostile environment to find a mother to make sure that a 15 year-old girl would be saved by surgeries? No one except a person with an angel's heart and a warrior's soul. Miss you Mike. Thank you for showering your family with a rainbow.

Lori Vealey Halstead

Anonymous said...

Go rest high on that mountain, your work on earth is done...
God has blessed all our lives by sharing yours with us. Peace be to all your family.
Karen

Nicole said...

Peace and love to your family.

Mike will always live on in our hearts-his joy, his enthusiasm, his passion. He's been my inspiration to push forward so many times in these past few years. He will always be an inspiration for all of the work that we do, he has touched so many lives.
-Nicole

Anonymous said...

Michael, I have learned so much from you...Thank you!

Uncle Bruce, Aunt Barb, Katie, and Jonathon, I pray that the Lord will give you a peace that passes all understanding. If you have not heard this song before, please find it online, and listen to it. It's beautiful, and I pray will be comforting.

We love you all,
Alana and family

“Fly”
By Celine Dion

FLY, FLY LITTLE WING
FLY BEYOND IMAGINING
THE SOFTEST CLOUD, THE WHITEST DOVE
UPON THE WIND OF HEAVEN’S LOVE

PAST THE PLANETS AND THE STARS
LEAVE THIS LONELY WORLD OF OURS
ESCAPE THE SORROW AND THE PAIN
AND FLY AGAIN

FLY, FLY PRECIOUS ONE
YOUR ENDLESS JOURNEY HAS BEGUN
TAKE YOUR GENTLE HAPPINESS
FAR TOO BEAUTIFUL FOR THIS

CROSS OVER TO THE OTHER SHORE
THERE IS PEACE FOREVERMORE
BUT HOLD THIS MEMORY BITTERSWEET
UNTIL WE MEET

FLY, FLY DO NOT FEAR
DON’T WASTE A BREATH, DON’T SHED A TEAR
YOUR HEART IS PURE, YOUR SOUL IS FREE
BE ON YOUR WAY, DON’T WAIT FOR ME

ABOVE THE UNIVERSE YOU’LL CLIMB
ON BEYOND THE HANDS OF TIME
THE MOON WILL RISE, THE SUN WILL SET
BUT I WON’T FORGET

FLY, FLY LITTLE WING
FLY WHERE ONLY ANGELS SING
FLY AWAY, THE TIME IS RIGHT
GO NOW, FIND THE LIGHT

Anonymous said...

Bruce, Barb, Jon and katie:
As the rainbow was a biblical symbol of promise to Noah, it is a symbol of spiritual courage, hope, and peace during your time of sadness. This morning, the rainbow was a wonderful symbol — a joyful exaltation that split the clouds of despair! We have pictures of it! May God give you peace and comfort.
DanH

renee Johnson said...

Angrily spoke the Gardener"Who plucked this flower, one of the rarest of all the garden?"
Gently answered the Master "So dearly did I love it, I chose it for my own." Oscar Wilde

Anonymous said...

Barbara, Bruce, Jonathon, Katie and Mike.

This morning, Mike will always be remembered, I am so sad to see a great person go through the pain he went through. Now Mike is in a better place with no pain.

Chris Luckett

Anonymous said...

He is Gone
You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Anonymous said...

There are tears of joy on the other side.
Goodnight Michael.
Deanie

Anonymous said...

I know Micahel is in a wonderful place now. He has touched more people in such a short amount of time. I know through him others will have the courage to fight and live life no matter what. My love and prayers go out to all of you. Michael will always remain in our hearts.
Georgie

Anonymous said...

I did not know Mike very well but graduated with Katie. I am very sorry to hear about the loss of Mike. He is in a much better place now and I pray that God will comfort you in this time of need. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers!

Lisa Cunningham

Elatia Harris said...

"Death be not proud," the poem goes. "Death, thou shalt die." Some people can be killed but not destroyed, for they will be the victors. Michael's journey was immense, and of a spiritual density that it will always stay with us. Courage, optimism, and finding the dignity and attitude that allow you to live your best no matter what -- who gave meaning to these things more than Mike? In his own words --

"I believe in the life that God gave me, that it is right, and that I can do right by it. How could I ever regret that?"

Evan P said...

Mike, we will never forget you. You will continue to make us stronger, kinder, funnier, and more thoughtful in our memory of you. You truly do live on in our hearts, and I'm celebrating your reunion with the Father.

Missed, but never forgotten.

Sadly yet joyfully,
Evan

Anonymous said...

May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten. We'll miss you, Mike.

-Cindy (Loyola classmate)

Nate Bahr said...

Mike's attitude through all of this was so amazing; he'll continue to inspire me to push on and look for the good in everything. What an amazing man, I'll miss him. My best to all of you, Nate Bahr

Ebinehita said...

Dear Davis Family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Michael was such an amazing person and I am so sad that we did not have more time with him. Michael has thought us so much in about grace. Thinking back on his blog about pride, and as you can see from the out pouring of support, he has inspired so many in the short time he had on this earth - Mike has made such a difference.
I love him so much and I'm going to miss him. Thank you for raising such an amazing man. I am so honored to have known Mike.

Ebi

Sarah Haddox said...

Hoping you find comfort in this time of mourning. I have some memories of Mike from high school. He was blessed to have a wonderful and caring family. God bless!

Aberdeen said...

Dear Barb and Bruce,

Thank the Lord that Michael's passing was peaceful and beautiful. I'm not at all surprised to learn of the full rainbow, someday I'll tell you why.

"Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone:
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own."

-Adam Lindsay Gordon

We are brokenhearted. But so blessed to have known your Michael.

Love,

Pammie and Martin

Charlotte said...

I never knew Mike, but I know his brother Jon from the anime/gaming club at Allegheny College. I learned of Mike's illness last weekend via Jon's girlfriend (also a friend of mine)and I was touched and amazed by reading this blog. Mike's story is incredible, and I feel somewhat sad to have never had the chance to meet him. You all are in my thoughts, prayers, and heart. God be with you in this difficult time.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

Anonymous said...

“You never really leave a place or person you love, part of them you take with you ,leaving a part of yourself behind.”
Anonymous

Michael, you will be in our hearts forever. May you rest in peace.

Bj Hill

Anonymous said...

I graduated with Mike, and although we weren't close friends, I have fond memories of him being a sweet, fun guy. May God comfort your family in this time.
Carrie Kennedy

geesey124 said...

Mike
I'm so glad I met your free spirit and got to rock out with you on New Year's. Your gloves were exactly what I needed. I wish you well wherever your spirit takes you and hope you got around to those Mad Libs. Best Wishes to you and your family. Thanks for showing us what loving life even with its heavy burden means. I love you and am thankful for your spirit.
Love and prayers to you and your family,
Crazy Daisy

Aileen said...

Mike, although I have known you for only a few years, you always brought joy to everyone you've met and known. I'm happy that you will be at rest in piece, and we are all so lucky to know you. We will miss you!
-Aileen

Anonymous said...

Bruce, Barbara, Katie, and Jonathan,

I don't know if you remember me or not, but we were neighbors in Beechwood and Katie you were one of my closest friends growing up. I have such fond memories with you all. I found out about Michael's illness and passing today through facebook. My heart goes out to you all. I can't imagine the pain you all are feeling. Please know that my family and I are praying for you all and asking God to give you the comfort that only He can.

Love,
Erica (Summerfield) Turner

Anonymous said...

To: Michael's Family, Loved Ones and Friends.
I did not have the privilege of meeting Michael during his pilgrimage on earth. However, I do know the One that gave him life on earth and has promised him life eternally. I asked God tonight that He would give me a poem for Michael and for all of his loved ones that would strengthen them during their time of sorrow. God just gave me the poem below. My prayers are with you, but most importantly - GOD IS WITH YOU!
Sue - (Georgie's Mother)

On the wings of an angel, he was carried away,
Only to awaken to a brighter, sun filled day.

His days now are no longer numbered
For his life is now WITHOUT END

For he is resting in the bosom of our
Greatest, Dearest Friend.

There will be no darkness in his new abode,
Neither pain nor tears to dim the eye

There will only be a rainbow stretching
Across God's eternal heavenly sky.

The Angels now are singing of God's Amazing Grace,
For a Special Child of God is now residing inside Heaven's Holy Gates.

The peace that passes understanding engulfs this precious soul,
For he is basking in the love of God with joy that cannot be told.

God knew before he was born, his beginning and his end,
And on this day, God asked him to "Come and sup with Him".

Your work on earth is finished, but your life HAS JUST BEGUN
For you are now reigning in Heaven's Portals with God's ONLY Son.

Our hearts are heavily saddened and our grief seems too hard to bear,
But our tears are speaking to God, the One that comforts us and cares.

You will be missed by those who love you and by those lives you have touched,
Yet we rest assured in God's unfailing Word that God loves you so very much!!

Anonymous said...

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Mike was a wonderful person to know in the few short years we went to school together. He will always be remembered.
-Becky (classmate from Loyola)

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