Michael Edward Barnes, Jr. began his life in Philadelphia on January 21, 1983. My only son, Michael was a brother to three sisters.
Michael had a love for Ralph Lauren (Polo). We chose this quilted teddy bear design to reflect the warm and noble attributes of the teddy bear in its comparison to my son. Soft, warm-hearted, cute, lovable, huggable, cuddly and adorable; there was never a time you could find Michael without a smile.
Michael graduated from Roxborough High School. It was during these years that Michael began to feel the pressure of his young peers. He spent these years thinking his life didn’t have meaning and life to him (as he grew) never showed him anything different.
There was never a doubt when I was asked during the last hour of my son’s life to donate his organs. Besides wanting to show my appreciation to the hospital for all they did to save hi m it was the best thing I could do for my son in his time of death; letting him know his life will give meaning to others. Today, November 11, 2012 our family is here to honor this meaning in his death.
Michael’s final flight came tragically on October 18, 2011.
We little knew that morning, that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly; in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you; you did not go alone for parts of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.
Remembering Michael, “Always & Forever”