This song says it all, pls hit the play button to hear it.. "I'll Be There" by escape Club {{{{{sigh}}}}}
This is an ongoing work of love, so it will change periodically.
A Memorial Tribute was in our local newspaper on 7/25/99...the address is below in the index...I wrote it myself....please take the time to read it.
July 2000 January2001
Sarah & Malissa have their pain too. Your presence is felt always. Thank you for the strength you give us to continue without you.
7/2001
7/2002
10/13/2002
We are going to have the Coat Drive again this year. The ELKS are supporting our effort, and we're having the Preschool involved too!
So many people have told me, and I wouldn't believe them, but time does make the pain less. A day does not pass that I don't think about you, but it really is now bearable. Tears still come easily, and my heart still aches, but it is easier. You are forever in my thoughts, in my heart!
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and the rains fall soft upon your fields,
and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the Hollow of His Hand.
Oct 13, 2009
Dearest Michael,
I miss you as much today, as the day we lost you, if not more. A day does not pass that you are in my thoughts, in my heart. I love you, son, and there will always be a void in my heart for you, and what could have been! {{{{{sigh}}}}} ~Momm
Please be patient..I am building this web site in memory and honor of my dear son, Michael, who,at only 19 years old lost his life on July 25, 1998, on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Please read the news articles related to Michael's Accident. You can click here to see them. They are also available at the main index.....
January 5, 1999
This web site is being fueled by the love of this mother for her son...and being built as a tribute to his memory. My aching heart is broken, my arms long to hold my son yet one more time. My tears are never ending..... These pages are for Michael
**July 25, 1999
One full year has passed...people have told me it gets easier....it hasn't.....I have just realized that I am not ready to give up my pain...not ready to turn my burden over to the Lord...I feel I need to have this pain so that Michael's memory will forever stay fresh in my mind, in my heart....The ache is as strong today as it was one year ago...
**December 1, 1999
As I began to decorate Michael's page for the Christmas Holiday, a new sense of loss has overwhelmed me. I just realized that I not only mourn Michael, but also mourn what will never be...I will never get to see the proud look on my son's face that he would have if he had children...I will never get to enjoy the loving smiles of grandchildren from him as they open their presents on Christmas day....The sense of loss is overwhelming....
***January 1,2000
Not only has another New Year passed..but a new Millennium has begun...oh dearest Michael...I miss you so much.. I love you, Michael, and miss you just as much today, if not more !! ~Momm
Michael.. they tell me that it gets easier with time... I think that the shock has finally began to wear off... and I am beginning to realize that you are gone... they tell me that the pain diminishes...
I have begun to realize that the pain is there.. each and every day.. and that it never diminishes, it is something that is always there..that I have only grown accustomed to having this pain..
but you are always with us.. in our every-day thoughts and even in our dreams.. we miss you terribly, love you always, and will NEVER forget you..
Well Mike.. we have entered the new millennium... and the world still stands...and functions.
What exactly does functioning mean?? A day does not pass that you are not in my thoughts. I see a kid wearing a "hoodie" and look to see if it's you! I was wondering at Christmas if you would call... "DUH MOM".. "get with it" they tell me... Several people have told me to "let it rest" OBVIOUSLY, they have never lost a child...
I know you're gone.. my MIND knows.. but my heart still reaches for you. I miss you more than ever. Yes, I have "gone on" with my life.. but such a big part of me is missing, one that will never be filled, until we meet again.
You would be proud of how you coat drive has grown! We collected and distributed over 300 coats in your name this year! Thanks for giving us something to carry on for you!
coat drive site:COAT DRIVE
3/2001
My pain seems to be getting worse... I have trouble crying at just the mention of Michael's name
I have thought that I have been handling things well, all along, but I now think the only person I have been fooling is myself.{{{{{sigh}}}}}
I am doing much better.. between the medication and therapy I am now able to again "cope". This is not to say that I do not think of Michael each and every day; because I do.... he is the first thing I think of when I wake up, and say "good-morning Mike", and the last thing as I fall asleep and say "Mom loves you Mike.. Good-night".
We haven't yet had to suffer the pain of the court hearings, but the preliminaries have been atrocious. Each time we begin to heal, they send us another deposition or interrogatory, and we have to live it all over again. Perhaps when this is all behind us we can really begin to heal. Time will tell.
Dearest Michael..
Yet another year passes.. I still miss you as much as I did the first day you left us, but the pain is not as excruciating. At times it feels like you passed only yesterday, and others like it was an eternity away.
For the newly grieving parents, I can give them the hope knowing that there are some better days that lie ahead.. not always.. but some rays of sunshine do peep through!
I enjoy looking at the beautiful colors of the sunset and sunrise, and always think of you, Michael, and I thank you for painting them for me.
I'm sure you know we lost our precious dog, Marley. He was really your puppy, and now we hope you two are enjoying each others company!
Geeze, Mike, I miss you so very much. Of course this time of year, not unlike Christmas or your birthday, is very hard on us.
This is the first time Sarah is outwardly showing her hurt. Today the pain is as bad as the first day.
We think of you always, miss you always. You are forever present with us.
This sounds like a contradiction, but time does make the hurt somewhat less, it is always still there, and a day does not pass that I do not think of you, but I think the pain is not as bad as it has been.
I now know that I can go on, Malissa and Sarah will to also. Nanna misses you and thinks about you always, as does the rest of the family. We all pray you are in a better place than us, and look forward to the day we will all celebrate a reunion.
Please keep over us, Mike, and protect us from all harm. We know you are with us, and am grateful for that comfort.
Happy Birthday, Michael! I can't believe another passes, and we miss you always! I went to Asbury to share the beautiful sunrise with you! It's amazing, your memorial is still there. People seem to be taking care of it. A uy walked over to me and said "Hi. I see you here often. I remember when this happened. I can't believe it's been over four years!". Of course I got all blubbery. I am so touched people remember, and are so kind. There were a lot of new flowers, roses and sunflowers! I put a new Fall Garland up too, but I guess you know that! And someone left a terrific picture of you. Bet it was Tara!
July 25, 2003
Malissa submitted a beautiful tribute to her brother on the anniversary of his this year. It was published in the Asbury Park Press. Click HERE to read the article
July 25, 2005
Hi Mike!
I think the saying is true.... time does heal all wounds! I know I have never gotten over the pain of my loss, but just gotten used to having it. {{{{{sigh}}}}}
I never stop thinking of you, as each day begins I say good morning to you.
We have finally given your ashes a resting place, right here at a memorial park in Toms River. I actually felt comfort placing your ashes there. I hope you approve.
The Children s Memorial Park in Toms River is also beautiful, and I volunteer there each Sunday as a "greeter" for people looking for information. If anyone wants to know about it, here is there website:
I guess this is your birthday, in heaven.. I pray for you always, and hope you are safe and happy. Never forget, Mom loves you, today and always! <>{{{{{sigh}}}}}>
We are into a new decade, yet as each year passes.. you are forever with us. Time does heal the wounds, but each passing holiday rips the scab off, and the ache starts anew.. yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.. We love you, we miss you!
My Darling Michael 10-13-78 ~ 7-25-98
another year~
did come & go~
my heart aches~
as you know~
...they say time heals all wounds~
of course they lie~~
I'll miss you forever~
until the day that I die!
Forever in my heart & always on my mind!
Ohhhhh~~~ Another year has come and gone. We miss you, Michael, as much today as ever! You are always with us, always in our hearts, forever on our minds! Merry Christmas, Son! Momma loves you! {{{{{sigh}}}}}
Don't be afraid oh my love, I'll be watching
you from above and I'd give all the world tonight just to be with you.
Cause I'm on your side and I still care. I may of died but I've gone
nowhere... just think of me and I'll be there
SIXTEEN years... and it is still fresh and feels like today. For reasons unbeknowst to us, this year seems to be one of the hardest, for all of us... usually we each have a difficult time at different intervals.. but THIS year?? we all seem to be crashing and burning at the same time.. the sorrow is almost unbearable.. the pain and loss intensified this year! We miss Michael so much... Michael's amazing friends have been stopping by, sharing stories and memories with us.. I love to hear about Michael, and his antics! To see his friends grown, some with children of their own.. My heart swells with love for them, and breaks for what we will never have...
It's hard to imagine Michael as a grown man.. he is forever locked in my heart as a teenager.. my beautiful, fun-loving son!
We love you Michael! Please feel free to email me at rathlori721@aol.com if you have had similar feelings or just need someone to listen to you..
I would like to thank you for visiting Michael's web site, and hope you find comfort and peace here.
Please sign our guest book and share your thoughts with us! Thanks,
Please read on, on enjoy the beautiful graphics!
This song says it all:
~Lori~ (Michael's Mom)
If you have lost a sibling,(brother or sister) please email Malissa or Sarah, Michael's sisters...they could really use your support.
Malissa is: MalissaRath@aol.com or Sarah: Sarah.Rathgeber@gmail.com
THE
ANGELS
MAY ANGELS REST BESIDE YOUR DOOR,
MAY YOU HEAR THEIR VOICES SING.
MAY YOU FEEL THEIR LOVING CARE FOR YOU,
MAY YOU HEAR THEIR PEACE BELLS RING.
MAY ANGELS ALWAYS CARE FOR YOU,
AND NOT LET YOU TRIP AND FALL,
MAY THEY BEAR YOU UP ON ANGEL'S WINGS,
MAY THEY KEEP YOU STANDING TALL.
MAY THEY WHISPER WISDOM IN YOUR EAR,
MAY THEY TOUCH YOU WHEN YOU NEED,
MAY THEY REMOVE FROM YOU EACH TRACE OF FEAR,
MAY THEY KEEP YOU FROM FEELING GREED.
` MAY THEY FILL YOU WITH THEIR PRESENCE,
MAY THEY SHOW YOU LOVE UNTOLD,
MAY THEY ALWAYS STAND BESIDE YOU
AND MAKE YOU EVER BOLD.
MAY THEY TEACH YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT LIFE HERE AND HERE-AFTER.
MAY THEY FILL YOU ALWAYS WITH THEIR LOVE
AND GIVE YOU THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER.
WITH LOVE, MICHAEL
10/13/78~ 7/25/98
RathLori721@aol.com
I am proud to be a member of:
It is a special honor to receive this award from the Group at AD-H-HH
I am honored to have been chosen July '99 winner of "Home-page of the Month"
By Clicking on any of the links below you will be transported to that site:
LINKS TO NEXT PAGES AND OTHER
FAVORITES
Page 1A..Dear Mom..("A Letter Michael
would have written if he could...")
THE
ANGELS
1999 RathLori
calamidy@aol.com
Music: "Only You"
Music: "What The World Needs Now".
GRIEF RESOURCES
THE
COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS OF TOMS RIVER
click here to go to the main index
View Our First Guest book by clicking here.
Please Sign Our NEW (second) Guest book by clicking here
View our NEW (second) Guest Book by clicking here
Michael's Mom
1132 Kells Court
Toms River, NJ 08753
United States
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