"My Wedding Date"

20 Sept 2004

I met Mike in 1998. We were working at the same place, and when I saw him the first time I knew that we would be friends. Born 7 days apart (I'm the old lady)We connected and laughed easily. I could talk to Mike about anything. We would agree on the same things, and tell the same jokes, even listen to the same music. It is such a rare gift to meet a kindred spirt. I was so lucky. Even when we travelled our seperate ways him to fly, and me to figure myself out, we always came back to an easy friendship. We shared summer jobs on more than one occasion, and had crazy trips togeather. I have never had as much fun in a car, as I had with Mike. He gave me my first driving lesson (I faild) and showed me what true friendship was. I will miss him so much.
When my brother was married, I knew Mike would make the perfect date. He shared in our family events like a sibling. He could tease me like a brother and protect me like a mother bear with her cub. And i was the same with him. I always introduced boyfirends to him, and sought his approval. If they didn't like him or he didn't like them, that was it, I always picked Mike.

I know that everyday I will wake up a little peice of me empty, it was a piece that mike filled, and cannot be filled by anyone else. He was a best friend and I loved him very very much. I will miss him always.

Katie
NB/Ont.
katherine.palmer@unb.ca

20 Sept 2004

This poem was written at the time of Michael's memorial service. In my home in Saskatoon I lit two candles and joined others around the world who were thinking of Michael and Sharon and Gerry. The last line of the poem is taken from "High Flight" by John Magee Jr.

Two Flames

Two candles burn with steady flame,
Salute a much-loved son
His parents too.
All lived in lands both near and far
Hands outstretched to help and care.

Michael's brilliant flame
Outshines the shadow of his death,
Lights up the way he lived his dream,
Glows in our hearts forever.

When the brokenness of grief,
Heals slowly to a gentle peace,
Their flame's rekindled.

Michael's legacy,
To "dance the skies on laughter-silvered wings"

Marie Dunn
Saskatoon, SK
mdunn@sasktel.net

20 Sept 2004

Needless to say,I was in total shock and denial when I heard of your son's accident and tragic death. The only thoughts that kept coming up were things like: "It's not fair." Like your grandmother said "Parents shouldn't have to deal with the loss of a young child."

I don't have children and I honestly can not imagine what your path will be like from hereon. However, there are two things that I am sure about. I honestly believe what I said and thought. And most of all, I know that you have enough love and support from your many friends and family to last you a life time. Hoping this thought will ease the pain.

My thoughts are forever with you.

Pierrette Cote
Brampton
etocp@sympatico.ca

20 Sept 2004

This serves as dedication to a much loved friend and a Fantastic pilot who will be well remembered. I,Paul(Duracell)vd Meer, am speaking on behalf of all the pilots who were working with Mike at the time of the tradgedy, Caine (Capt Chaos) Goveia, Ryan (Lion) Collis, Johan(Crispy)Minnaar,Rob (Lobbie)Stacey and Gavin(bushman)Robinson. As flat mates, Mike and I became good friends and anyone involved in Aviation will know there are hundreds of boring hours sitting on the ground between flights, where we would spend time talking about the futures we had planned. Mike was very dedicated to his aviation carreer and loved flying with such passion his eyes would twinkle and I can still see his smile as he looked forward to his next flight either out of Mfuwe, Livingstone or Lusaka. We will never forget how calm and relaxed Mike was on the radio and we will never forget a few sayings, "Its all good", "COOL", "cheers big-ears" and when he ordered a coke it was "can I have a Coca-roller please". Mike really enjoyed flying in Zambia and we enjoyed the few months we had with him and will miss his company.

Airwaves Airlink Pilots
Zambia
cpt_caino@yahoo.com

20 Sept 2004

To Uncle Gerry and Aunt Sharon
Our memories of Mike at family get-togethers were of a quiet, kind gentleman. He always had a quick smile, even for our children Sara (8), Amy (6) and Laura(4). We are so sorry to have lost Michael from our circles. We have certainly cherished the times with our own children more. Hold onto those amazing memories that you have of Michael. We love you.

Terry & Jennie Reimer
Port Rowan, Ontario
terryjennie@yahoo.ca

20 Sept 2004

About 20 years ago author Scott Peck wrote a book called – The Road Less Traveled. His opening line in the book was – Life is difficult. I don’t like that line. I don’t want to accept that statement but over and over it seems that it proves to be true in life’s experience. Have you ever noticed that some of the saddest words in our language begin with the letter “D”? Along with difficulty there’s disappointment, doubt, disillusionment, despair and death. When we heard about Michael’s accident last Friday evening some of these “D” words became very prominent in our family’s thinking and among all of us who knew Mike. When I went over to my mother’s apartment after 11 that evening to tell her the news, one of her comments was – A grandson shouldn’t go before a grandmother. That’s true – life is difficult.

Yet, part of life is also trying to make sense of those difficulties, trying to cope and carry on after a severe setback. The reality is – we have no other choice. A Scripture passage that came to my mind was the account of two disciples of Jesus whose lives had lost all meaning after the crucifixion event of Good Friday. The bottom had totally dropped out for them. Jesus had meant so much to them. Not just as individuals, but for their families, for their people. They had pinned all their hopes, all their dreams – on Jesus. And now he was dead. That parallels some of our thinking in terms of Michael. We were devastated to hear the news.

Those two men decided to go for a walk to the town of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem where this terrible event had happened. Maybe that’s where they were from. Maybe they thought that going back to a familiar place would help to ease their pain of loss just a bit. Maybe they just needed to get away to try to think. The account in Luke 24 says that as they walked, they were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked, and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. He first listened to them and then helped them to understand and to find perspective in those events.

In this last week I’m sure that Sharon and Gerry have told and retold the story of what has caused their grief many, many times over. It’s good to talk, to express our feelings and our sadness over what has happened. For us as family we have walked through these days as well and wondered how these things could be. We loved Mike with his easy going manner, his gentleness and kind heart, his ready smile, his ability to put people at ease around him and feel like old friends even when we really didn’t get to see him that often. We were happy to hear of all his accomplishments and bragged about him to others, in a humble way of course. It makes no sense for someone so young and so full of life and dreams and ambition to be taken from us.

This Scripture account continues as Jesus reveals himself to these two disciples in the breaking of bread at the supper meal as he gave thanks before God. Then they recognized that it was Jesus and then he just disappeared. They were so excited. They got up and walked those seven miles back to Jerusalem and told the other disciples about their amazing discovery that Jesus was alive! Underneath that statement was the feeling – All is well. They had hope once again for the future.

In the story of our lives that we are in here today we know that Mike isn’t going to come back to us. This story won’t end exactly like that one. Yet there is another part that is the same. Jesus is here. He is the unseen stranger walking alongside us, listening to us and wanting to reveal himself to us. He wants to bring us comfort and hope through the words of Scripture and through his representatives in this world – the caring people all around us.

Sharon and Gerry, you have told me how you have been overwhelmed with love and caring from your friends, Mike’s friends from around the world. They are God’s loving arms wrapped around you. He grieves when we grieve. We won’t receive answers to our questions of why on this side of eternity but we have the assurance that even though Mike won’t come back to us, we can be reunited with him some day. On behalf of the extended family we pray that God would comfort you and restore hope for the future as we remember and celebrate Mike’s life with you.

Waldo Pauls - Uncle
St. Catharines
waldo@fairviewmb.ca