Thanksgiving memories.
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In Memory of My Friend Michael Herman and His Family
How many times have I assigned students to write that Thanksgiving holiday essay entitled, 'What I Am Thankful for This Year'. Young and old, when it boiled right down, children listed their families at the top of the list. After the obligatory nods to the great Thanksgiving food and favorite toys, almost every student realized that what could not be replaced, what was most valuable was to love and be loved.Now I am the writing that Thanksgiving essay. When I saw this assignment in the roster, I felt a little qualm. I knew that I should write a piece about my gratitude for the God of my understanding. But I knew immediately, with that knee jerk response that what I am most grateful for is my family, husband and children. I feel grateful to God for my family. In my world, I can't have one without the other. God and family go hand in hand. Like my Irish claddagh ring.
Thanksgiving brings my family, and especially my children to my heart even more integrally, by an incident which occurred at Thanksgiving back in 2005. My husband who works the graveyard shift at Sara-Lee foods, arrived home one morning, shortly before Thanksgiving. It's his habit to listen to the news on the way home, for weather reports, school closings and general community news. On this frosty November morning, he came in the door, literally shaken and white.
He burst out, 'Michael Herman was killed in a car accident last night.' Mikey was the fifteen year old son of some dear friends of ours. We all looked dumbfounded. 'Our Michael Herman?' I asked, stupidly. My husband nodded, mouth agape. Michael and our son Albert, although not seeing as much of each because we had homeschooled our children, had been fast friends, just about from birth. Michael, fifteen years old, out driving on those back roads in Robinson Township with his mother. Roads that become treacherous around this time of year, with oft unseen 'black' ice. That's ice that doesn't look like ice, to those who've never driven a Michigan winter.
Comments
How sad....it just goes to remind us all to always be thankful for what we've got while we've got it. RIP Michael!
GagaM
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/19/2009
I also remember. It has been five years now, but to his parents and family at times it seems just yesterday. "Never" is forever, but for all who trust in God, "never" is only for this lifetime. In our Father God's forever there are no tears, no goodbyes, only forever in His presence with joy evermore. For all who have had to let go of a Mikey - may God bless and keep you this season of thanks-giving. May His love and peace surround you and keep you day by day.
Very nice tribute to Michael and his family. Thanks for sharing...
Hey Mar, I hope you share this with his family. I think it helps them to know that others remember their loved ones also. I know it does for my family when other people mention my brother who stepped from this life into eternity some 9 years ago... Cheers.
Such a touching tribute! As sad as things are in situations like this, it's so wonderful to know that God is with us every step of the way.
Here's to Michael and his family! Black ice is wicked, wicked
Quite a touching piece you have penned. Touching, sad, but also a testament to family and friend love.
I was feeling badly as this Thanksgiving approached....the first anniversary of my mom's passing...but, thank God, she had lived a long, full life. Mikey's tragedy is the type that tugs at the heart. God bless his family.
Sad, My heart goes out to his parents. You sound like wonderful friends, they are lucky.
So sad sweetie.
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