Post your memory of Michael or of a loved one with Cystic Fibrosis*

Remembering Michael

“Michael did not blame God for his health dilemma. Rather, at the age of 16, Michael surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, was immersed into Christ, and lived faithfully for Him until he was called into eternity on June 17, 2008. Throughout those years, Michael had been an inspiration and a blessing to a great number of people, challenging most of those he influenced through his faith in Christ and his contagious spirit of joy and hope.

Just as all others who are struggling with this great health-crippling disease, it was no breeze for Michael. He had bad days and weeks, and, although it was rare, he cried when he felt his health burden pressing down on him.

But Michael made it through these low times in his life and never gave up, trusting the victory that he knew he had in Christ. You see, his greatest concern was not for his health, but for his eternity. Michael and I spoke often about his relationship with Christ and his hope of heaven. Though he knew that he could never deserve eternity in the presence of his Redeemer, he also knew that the grace of God had provided.

My wife and I were with Michael in his hospital room in Pittsburgh the Sunday before he passed away - June 15, 2008. We sang spiritual songs of praise, prayed, and shared in the Lord’s Supper with him, just as we had done every Lord’s day. We read and talked about scripture, and at one point, Michael looked up at me, and with tears in his eyes, asked, “Am I going to die?” We talked to Michael about death and about his hope beyond the grave, and prayed with him one last time before we left his room. The leaving was perhaps the most difficult thing my wife and I had to do. We turned away and kept walking, not looking back. We walked away from this friend in Christ whom we loved like a son, and never saw him again. Our hope is that we will be able to see Michael again when our own journey on earth is completed.”

-Pastor Mark McDonald

More memories…

I did not know Michael, but I did know a young boy who struggled with cystic fibrosis in junior high school. His name was Tyler Moore. Tyler wanted only to be a “normal” kid, but he was anything but normal. He went out for our school’s wrestling team and won one match as a seventh grader but showed marked improvement as an eighth grader. There were times when he struggled to wrestle, his lungs clogged with mucus. But he never gave up and refused to come out of a match or to receive any special treatment. In his ninth grade year Tyler won 31 matches and help lead our school to a state record 40-0 season. He was an inspiration to everyone at our school and was a true leader on the team. I was his wrestling coach.
When Tyler died last year at age 21, the overflow of people at his funeral, including teachers and friends, teammates and coaches, showed the overwhelming influence that Tyler had on the people who knew him.

I have just finished writing a book about Tyler and his three years of wrestling at our school. The book is about his hardship, but also his determination to be accepted as a “normal” kid, his courage in doing the right things and what he believed in, and also the special love between Tyler and his father as they fought his disease together. Tyler was anything but normal; he was truly an extraordinary one-of-a kind young man.

I think of him every day, and know how you must feel about Michael.

Posted by Malcolm Ater on 02/07/2009

Michael was my uncle and my hero. I’ve always been close to my Uncle Mike, and so has my daughter. Some of my best memories are of my time spent with him. We both were Miami Dolphins fans and actually went to see them when I was about 14, and it was an amazing experience. He used to play tricks on me when I was little. Every Halloween he would try and scare me.

My daughter spent a lot of time with him. If she was upset about anything all I had to do was mention him and she would light up. He is her hero. I’m extremely thankful that we have had the opportunity to know him. He joked that he was ‘The Great One’ because she was his great niece. It was true though, he is without a doubt the greatest man I’ve ever known and I am proud to be his niece.

Posted by April James on 02/05/2009

I would like to thank everyone who has been made “Remembering Michael” possible. Michael was my friend. Michael was also the “payroll guy” in our office.

Since his passing last summer we have attempted to find a fitting memorial to our friend—one that exemplifies the contribution he made to our office, our clients, and those lives whose lives are touched by individuals with CF. Our initial thought was to simply donate a portion of new Tax Client’s returns to CF. This was in late December of 2008. But, with the help of Brad Hopkins of Firebrand Media (how has designed this site), Matt Denton of Hau Ink (who donated his expertise to our promotional flyers and vouchers), Pastor Mark McDonald, and many, many others, the Remembering Michael Campaign has quickly taken on a life of its own.

Michael is just one of tens of thousand who have CF. If you knew Michael, we hope you will use this website as a place to post your memories. If you or a loved one has CF, please feel free to post your comments, observations and sources of energy and inspiration.

Above all, we hope the “Remembering Michael” Campaign will inspire you to make a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Our goal is to complete 200 new tax returns to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and to fill these donor pages with the names of individuals and businesses who have donated money to increase the well being and life expectancy of those who currently have CF.

Sincerely,
Brett Hersh, President, HBS

Posted by Brett Hersh on 01/27/2009