Death is Not the End..Not Saying Goodbye But Until We Meet Again
We’ll meet again in heaven…just like this
Michael Perugini…
In Loving Memory
Some of you know that my son, 37 year old Michael Perugini, passed away near the end of October. He was our last born child…the baby… and the strong-willed one. Mike taught us as he was growing up. I have two older children who I also learned from, but Mike pushed every boundary known to him.
What a Smart Kid!
One vivid memory I have of him at 6 months was me holding him at the basement door. There was a door stopper on the door. Mike had me open and close that door due to his intense interest in how the stopper worked. He watched the top of that door..touched…watched and touched the stopper. I always had to be ten steps ahead of him as he was so organized that he could think and plan so far in advance.
What We Believe Keeps Us
We are Christians and our faith is in a loving God Who welcomes us instantly when we die. The scripture is: “To be absent ….is to be present.” We have comfort in knowing that we will see Mike once again as he also welcomes us into heaven upon our passing. As Christians we believe we have the Holy Spirit within us, comforting us during this time of grieving. Mike left a void in our lives that the Holy Spirit is filling with His love and comfort. Death is not the end!
Mike also left a beautiful wife, Sharon who is heart broken. They had so many more dreams yet to fulfil in this life together. She’s now dealing with all that is left when a spouse leaves this earth. We love her dearly.
We love our daughter-in-law dearly
Death is Not the End
Mike’s first love
No matter how you say it, death still stings. I’ve experienced death before with parents and grandparents passing, but never a child…and so suddenly. I refuse to be involved in the ‘regrets game’. Mike and I always spoke freely with each other and shared deeply…especially his faith. A few weeks before his sudden passing, he called me to talk about how ‘streets of gold’ and ‘rewards’ did not mean as much to him as knowing he would be in heaven with Jesus.
Life around Mike was living to the utmost. He never hung back but blazed ahead experiencing life with joy. He told me often that he was the best of both my husband and myself. He never got past making life all about ‘play’. His whole life was play, experiencing the exhiliration of playing…at anything…work, football games, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, eating, vacations, friends and gatherings.
How Am I Doing?
As for me and grief….”there may be crying during the night, but joy comes in the morning”. Don’t pity or feel sorry for me. Death is not the end and I know where our son is…he’s in heaven with Jesus Whom he loved. While crying about his being gone, I smile also knowing that he is in a better place and Mike beat us there. We have that assurance. In a world where there is no ‘stable’ , no ‘unchanging’, we have an inner peace with assurance.
Yes, I took a hit from this, but with all the prayers and love that have surrounded me I can say…I have joy unspeakable and I lean on God Who is my refuge and strength. You have all written to tell me of your prayers for us…I thank you and am overwhelmed by your love. I am thankful for you…all of you.
They say that time heals. I say my God is healing me even as I write this. He knows how I feel, the tears I shed, the laughter remembering Mike. I have peace and am focused on truth. There is no despair, no hopelessness. I know that I know that I know…Mike is waiting for us to cross our ‘finish line’ and put his arms around us once again and will plant a kiss on my cheek.
We love you, Mike
Credits to Sonjia Paxton for the top wedding photo…Julie Chang for the father-in-law and Sharon photo
I have been thinking about you a lot over the past couple weeks and have been praying for God’s comfort. Even in your grief, you continue to encourage me! You are such a special woman – Michael was blessed to have you as his mom. Love you, Donna! xoxo
rachel recently posted..Celebrating Three!
I just love you, Rachel. You bless me. Your prayers have not gone unanswered..we’ve been so comforted. Thank you for your heartfelt comment. Hugs and kisses back to you
DonnaPerugini recently posted..Not Saying Goodbye, But Until We Meet Again
Well Donna, Mike got to truly experience the physical transition of Orville! Oh for the day when we all, figuratively, put off this old caterpillar body and put on wings… Love to you.
Nan
Oh, Nancy….how true! It is a wonderful analogy. Thank you for that awesome thought.
Donna and Richard,I am so sorry for your loss,I can’t even imagine the loss of a child…..I know the pain of losing my dear brother,Ian, before his time…my thoughts and prayers are with you at this hard time…he is at peace…you are in my thoughts…
Cathy,
Richard really appreciated your thoughtful comment. He has told me about Ian often and remembers him with admiration. Thank you for your prayers.
Donna
I am glad you find comfort in your faith. I love what Mike said about being/having the best of you both in him.
Claire Hegarty B recently posted..Happy Schooldays and Happy Halloween
Claire,
The first time Mike said that to me, it melted my heart.
So glad to see a post from you in my inbox. Thanks for sharing your heart Donna.
I hope today is a blessed one.
Linda Kinsman recently posted..Holidays- Winter Break Boredom Buster
Linda,
I’ve been getting back online slowly. I see that you are with Jafra products and hope you do well this season.
Thanks for those inspiring comments you made, Donna. I always liked the idea that we have the right to be comforted and to comfort others. Thanks for comforting me.
Love you, Evelyn.
Dear Cousin Richard and Donna I am not usually on facebook but saw your name and saw the comments others of the passing of your son Mike. I am so sorry to hear about this. Our thoughts and prayers are with you-Please send me a regular E-mail with your snail-mail address as I have some photographs to send you Love always cuz Maryann candyroaster@hotmail.com
Hi, Maryann,
Dick has talked to me about you often. Thank you for your prayers and we’ll be in touch through your email.
Donna
Hi im your new follower and upon reading your post, it saddens me and at the same time it inspires me. he’s with our creator now for sure. may God bless you.
Hello, Tiffany,
Thank you for your heartfelt words.
Hi Donna,
I wanted to offer you my deepest condolences on the passing of your wonderful son. You and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. Mike is in God’s loving arms now. May you and your family have peace in that knowledge.
Love,
Martha
Thank you, Martha,
Your prayers are very welcome! We do get feelings all the time. As long as we remember “You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee”, we are comforted by Him.