Mike Williams
a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a friend, a leader & one funny booger.

When you go to the "My Mike" category, please scroll down to the bottom and read the stories from the bottom up so that they will read in the correct sequence. 

Yes, I am back to again share some stories about me and Mike.  You can see a  couple of new stories on the "My Mike by Jan" category.  It is actually getting harder and harder to accept that Mike is gone.  The longer he is gone, the larger the hole that is left in my heart.  I miss him so much, but he left me with a rich collection of memories and our children.  I am so blessed to have had him and to now have these children and their children and I will always have my memories of Mike and me and our wonderful 37+ years together.  I hope to be able to continue writing our stories and will let you know as they are available.  Love to all of you. Jan

On Wednesday, December 22nd, Mother invited the entire youth group of our church and some of the adults to our house after church for a little Christmas "get together".   Soon, everyone was so excited, because Mike "decided" to let me open my hugh gift!  I was so excited that I couldn't pay attention at church.  It was a cold night and as usual, I didn't wear a coat.  My Knight in Shining Armour took off his jacket and put it around me after we got in his car go to the party.  Everyone was so excited that I think Mike and I might have been the last two to arrive.  Refreshments were quickly selected and taken to the livingroom where everyone chattered and giggled excitedly.  Pictures were taken of the entire group (I have that picture here somewhere) and then Mike asked if I were ready to open my gift (again there was that little smile with the low surpressed giggle). 

Mike pulled my gift out to the middle of the room and said, "okay, open it!"   I started ripping the wrapping paper from what I found to be a washing machine box.  Ok, so I knew the gift was not a washing machine (it wasn't heavy enough and I didn't have a washer connection in my room, besides my mother had one I could use anytime).  I opened  the top of the box and peered down into the dark opening......What?  Beneath all the crumpled newspapers was a milk crate (Mike worked of Foremost Dairy) and in the crate was a pair of really old, really ratty old tennis shoes! 

My thought bubble said, "What? I don't understand! Why? ....." 

Then Mike grinned and said, "you have your present."

"I have my present?"  My thought bubble said, "What? I don't understand!.." 

Mike reached into the pocket of his jacket, that I was wearing, and pulled out a ring box.  "You have your present," he said, grinning from ear to ear.  He opened the box to reveal a beautiful delicate silver ring with a single tiny diamond sparkling in the middle of it.  I looked at the ring and looked at Mike.  He very softly whispered in my ear, "It;s only a promise ring, for now."   Then he smiled and whispered, " I love you." 

"For now", that was the most wonderful gift, but yes, there is yet another story about me and my Mike.  My wonderful, incredibly sweet Mike.

I was on top of the world.  I had Mike's senior ring on my finger, I was a senior looking forward to graduation (but then what?...another story),  my family liked Mike and his family liked me, and Christmas was right around the corner.  What else could a 17year old girl who had just had her braces removed want?  I'm sure I didn't know.  I could have stopped time and been totally happy, or so I thought. 

Christmas was getting closer.  About a week before Christmas, Mike came to our house.  He wanted me to stay in my room until I was called to come out.  When I asked why, he smiled that special "I am so up to something" surpressed smile he had. I reluctantly went back to my room, while my sidlings could be heard laughing and squealing and lots of shuffling around.  When I was finally allowed to leave my room, I went to the livingroom to find a wrapped gift as large as our Christmas tree!  I remember looking at Mike and asking "That is My present?".  He grinned from ear to ear and giggled as he said "yep".  That was the first time, but certainly not the last time I heard that low, surpressed  giggle of his.  I did not know, however, at that time that I should be very, very careful when I heard it.  And yep, (low, surpressed giggle), that's yet another story about MY MIKE.

As everyone has written, it has gotten harder since he passed. Sometimes, I think about the funeral and get mad at myself for not being miserable. I want the pain out and to go away. I want my Daddy back. I did alot in my life that he taught me not to do, but he never turned away from me. I could get away with murder with him! But most importantly, if I cried, he made sure I was okay. He would hold me and sing and tell me he loved me. I just want one more hug and song. I miss you Daddy.

Today, I heard a song on the radio and like most songs they make me think of my Daddy, but today well today it was different.

Today you see is Sunday. My Daddy's favorite day of the week. He would get up and get ready for church complete with a good dousing of "stink pretty" or "smell good".

Then he would wait sometimes patiently sometimes not so much for all of us to get our acts together so we could leave for Church.

The minute we walked in the church doors. he would just start to beam.

He was ready to share a teasing word, a strong handshake or a warm hug with everyone he met.  I know others who go to church because that is what they do or are expected to do on that day. Not for My Daddy. No, he went because church was where he felt at home and at ease and  made everyone around him feel the same way and that takes a special spirit.

So today, this Sunday I am missing him.

Love you Daddy.

They say time heals all wounds...and yet, it seems to be working backwards for me.  Each day that passes seems harder than the first. 

It's been almost 2 months since we lost daddy...and it sinks in more each day.  I keep picturing him...laying there.  And while I'm so very thankful he's no longer in pain or suffereing...I just want him back so bad.  I want to hug him and hold his hand and hear him tell a goofy joke or sing me a song.

I dream about him every night.  The first time I dreamt of dad after he passed, I dreamed that I could see him...but no one else could.  But the sad thing was, he couldn't see me and he couldn't hear me.  and I was trying so hard to talk to him, or hold his hand but I couldn't.  And it was so frustrating and heart-breaking.  And I guess that's kind of the way I feel...I still feel him close to me, and still expect to see him when I'm at their house, but I can't talk to him or ask him questions or listen to him.

I think mom summed it up well when she made the comment that at first we were just so relieved that he was no longer suffering...and we were, and still are.  But the missing him part has really just begun.  It just happened so fast in a way.  The past few months seem like a blur and don't even seem real.

I know one thing though...our mama is rock solid.  I know she gets this strength from teh Lord and that's even more admirable.  I know she fights the sadness as much as we do, if not more.  But she does so in such an amazing way.    

Christmas was so hard..it was the quietest Christmas we've had in a long time.  I'm thankful we were able to be with Mom's family in Odessa.  But I wished at the same time we could have been with Poppy and my aunts.  Things like this certainly make you think, and make you realize how precious each moment really is.  I feel like I just can't spend enough time with those that I love. 

The Williams Family would like to wish you all a very Happy Holiday season and a very Merry Christmas filled with the warmth of those you love.

We are putting up the tree, the decorations, preparing for treat making and gift shopping. Daddy's passing hit me this weekend when I hung my crocheted christmas stocking up. My Mother made that stocking many moons ago and it has a snowman on the stocking. The snowman on the stocking is the item that set off a memory for me.

On my first Christmas my Daddy played a jolly Snowman at church. We have pictures of him in full snowman attire holding me. I was sleeping and too young to remember but the picture of him as a snowman and me in his arms came flooding back and so did the tears. A great memory I will cherish as I wish that you are able to create new memories and share memories of the past with those you love this year.

My Mother has her good and bad days which is to be expected. Please keep her in your prayers as I suspect she will have a hard time of the holidays this year.

Love to you all,

Carolyn

My Mike has been gone for two weeks now.  I still cannot believe that he is really gone from me.  I keep waiting for him to call me to say "good night" and again in the morning to say 'Mornin' '.   Thanksgiving was very quiet, I think we all were so within our own thoughts of Mike, Daddy, Pops.  I cannot imagine tomorrow without him, much less Christmas.  He loved christmas so much.  We would always go "Christmas Lighting", he loved to sing Christmas songs with the kids and at church, he loved watching the kids enjoy Christmas.  This will be his most special Christmas of all.  I would not bring him back to be so ill and in pain again, but I will ache for his presence, his touch, his voice.  I love  my Mike with all my being and even with him gone,  I love him more everyday.

I wanted to use this to document special moments in mine and Mike's lives together.  I still want to do so, but cannot seem to do it right now.  Stay tuned, hope to have the video on here this week and hope to soon have myself together enough to write more soon.  Thanks for all your prayers and concern, we need them more now than we did before.  Jan

Yesterday we said good-bye and I missed being able to visit with you all and recount stories that would certainly make us laugh.  On our way to Odessa Tuesday I was thinking of the stories I would like to tell on Mike... sorry "about" Mike... and these where some thoughts I came up with;

I was 8 or 9 I guess when Jan & Mike started dating.  As the little sister I would like to say I took alot of abuse.. but looking back I guess I was a bit pestery!  Mike was like a big (very big!) older brother to jump on and play with.

Some of my favorite memories are of family road trips.  I went to Witchita Falls with Jan & Mike shortly after they were married.  We spent time at Maw Maw's & Baw Baw's eatting cookie puddin' and these yummy sweet green onions that I later found out Baw Baw grew over the septic tank.  We stayed at Mr & Mrs Williams (Mike's grandparents) and Mike taught me how to shoot a shot gun.  I was 10, my mother would have died I'm sure.   Another memorable trip was to Tennessee.  During these long drives Mike taught us the classics like Moo Moo Cow and There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea.  He also serenaded us with renditions of The Streek and The Day the Squirrel Went Biszerk.

There was always plenty to laugh about!

Some people are really good at say "I love you" others show us by their actions; they are devoted no matter what, you know they will be there when you go to sleep and when you wake up whether life is good or bad.

We will miss you Mike... but only for a little while, for we grieve with hope!  We have a Savior, Jesus, who loves us and has died for us and He will see us safely home!

Visitation:

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 6:00 PM to 8PM

Agape Funeral Home

6625 West 19th Street

Lubbock, Tx 79407 806-722-2442

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl 

Homegoing Service:

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 1PM

Faith Baptist Church

6602 66th Street

Lubbock, Tx 79424 806-798-1001

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Burial:

Immediately following Service

Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park

15602 Loop 473 (S. Hwy 87)

Woodrow 806-863-2241

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Also so many have asked if they can send flowers or if there is a fund set up etc... My father would have liked any donations be made to their church in Lubbock. You see they are trying to raise funds to build a gym. As a faithful man of God he would have done anything he could to support his church.

Donations welcomed in Mike’s name to the Faith Baptist Church Gym Fund

c/o Faith Baptist Church

6602 66th Street Lubbock, TX 79424  phone :806-863-2241

Early this morning my phone rang. It was my Mother letting us know that my Daddy had passed away.

He went peacefully and without much fuss. Just like him, isnt it..

No more pain, no more worry, no more restrictions of a mortal body. Tonight the Heavenly Chorus has a new member. How much you wanna bet he starts it all of with a joke:)

UPDATE-

The PICC IV unit came in shortly after I spoke to my Mother on Friday. They placed the PICC line. The procedure went smoothly without trouble.

Daddy has started to have hard time breathing and has begun to make gurgling sounds. They are suctioning fluids from his throat regularly. The doctor thinks that he may have Pneumonia. His temperature is up around 99. His blood pressure is at a better level, as it has been running high. He is very tired as it is becoming harder and harder from him to breathe. His body is working very hard. He has not eaten or drank anything in almost 6 weeks and his body is not at its normal level of strength. His oxygen level is in the low 70’s. If we had not already made the decision to make him DNR (Do Not Recesitate) at this point we would have to decide to place him on a ventilator or make him a DNR.

The doctor seems to think Daddy’s time here on Earth is almost done. Via Con Dios Pops, via con Dios.

My Mother has also asked us to start making arrangements and getting ourselves prepared for him to go at just any time.

We ask that you pray for Mike to have a fast and painless trip to Heaven and that our Mother is comforted in knowing that she is loved and not alone.

UPDATE- Friday 11-13-2009

When I spoke to my Mother this morning she was waiting for the PICC team to arrive. Daddy's IV has once again gone bad and he is now requiring a PICC IV line. HIs hands are swollen and very cold to the touch and this has made it much more difficult to administer a regular IV so the PICC line is our only choice for him. My Mother requested the PICC early early this morning and when I spoke to her at 11:30AM (mtn time) she was still waiting for them to arrive to place the PICC line. In the meanwhile Daddy has missed a complete dose of his medication because he recieves it via the IV. Without a viable IV the medication can not be administered.

When I updated you yesterday I informed you of his irregular breathing. It turns out during those moment of irregular breathing there was instances were he had stopped breathing all together and was in fact not congested but rather was suffering from small rolling seizures. One seizure right after another.

Movement such as being rolled from one side to another has also begun causing him to seize.  

 There has been a noticeable change in his condition.

Video and Audio

We will be adding come video and audio tracks of Daddy in the near future.

Thank you all again for your love, friendship and prayers. Amazed does not begin to express just how we feel about all of you.

UPDATE- Friday 11-13-2009

When I spoke to my Mother this morning she was waiting for the PICC team to arrive. Daddy's IV has once again gone bad and he is now requiring a PICC IV line. HIs hands are swollen and very cold to the touch and this has made it much more difficult to administer a regular IV so the PICC line is our only choice for him. My Mother requested the PICC early early this morning and when I spoke to her at 11:30AM (mtn time) she was still waiting for them to arrive to place the PICC line. In the meanwhile Daddy has missed a complete dose of his medication because he recieves it via the IV. Without a viable IV the medication can not be administered.

When I updated you yesterday I informed you of his irregular breathing. It turns out during those moment of irregular breathing there was instances were he had stopped breathing all together and was in fact not congested but rather was suffering from small rolling seizures. One seizure right after another.

Movement such as being rolled from one side to another has also begun causing him to seize.  

 There has been a noticeable change in his condition.

Video and Audio

We will be adding some video and audio tracks of Daddy in the near future.

Thank you all again for your love, friendship and prayers. Amazed does not begin to express just how we feel about all of you.

UPDATE

This morning Jan is reporting that Mike is back to irregular breathing patterns and he is congested. His hands are also swollen and they are monitoring his output.

Jan also mentioned a few days ago that Mike may have a loose tooth This is a result of the anesthesia procedure being a little too rough.  She is keeping an eye on it.

Mike's room is wearing it's fall apparel thanks to Jan. Warm and Autumnal. Jan has worked very hard for him to feel as if he was in a warm, comfortable, home like space rather than a cold sterile hospital room. The doc's are teasing her about when she is going to put up her Christmas decor.

Aunt Sheri (Mike's Sister) has been visiting and helping Jan whenever she can with support, friendship, love and compassion, yummy snacks and the occassional BIG brownie has been shared between the two. Or so the rumor goes.  Thank you once again Sheri for all you have done for them both.

Thank you all for taking such a big interest in Mike and Jan. We hope you all know just how much we appreciate your love and prayers at this difficult time.

UPDATE-

Jan wrote on Facebook today. "Mike's breathing is actually better today. All vital signs are stable and consistent. He still responds to me with his eyes, makes soft noises, and kisses me. Meaningful times make sweet memories. I am so grateful that we have been given this time together."

SIte Issues- Sorry all the server was under maintenance most of the day yesterday. I apologize for that it does happen on occassion but they usually email me to let me know when they are doing it so I can notify whomever needs to know. This time NO EMAIL. Sorry.

Ok this story is more of a story that my Dad EVENTUALLY found funny rather than most stories that feature him as the starring role of court jester.:)

We lived in Odessa  on Keystone and I dont remember how old I was other than I am sure I was old enough to know better. Mom had been working hard all week preparing for a garage sale. The day of the garage sale, we were up early with donuts for breakfast. That particular saturday Daddy was on call and had a pager. The number to the pager was prominently posted next to the yellow phone in our kitchen. I had heard Mama and Daddy talking about how the pager worked and the instructions had been shared to eagerly listening ears. Mainly those ears were MINE.

My parents went through the day hustling and bustling, answering questions of the shoppers and keeping the sale and us kids in order. Mama had planned this sale prior to the arrival of the pagers at Daddy's work and was none too happy about the aspect of Daddy being called out when she really needed his help.

Lunch time came and the sale seemed to slow down. Mama, Daddy and the others were all outside and the yellow phone and that pager number beckoned to me. Before I knew it I had picked up the phone dialed the number, waited for the tone and had no idea what I was going to say or do once the beep sounded on the other end of the line. I knew I had to think quick and do it or hang up because they could come in at anytime and catch me on the phone. The only thing that came to me was a silly little song that popped into my mind. "I love my Daddy, Yes I DO!!! I love my Daddy, Woo, Woo, Woooo!"

Well no more did I hang up that phone and here came Daddy almost running toward the bedroom with the pager blaring a loud BEEEPPPPP.  Mom was hot on his heels. I let them pass me and ran out the front door as if I had done nothing wrong. While I was outside I heard through an open window the message I left just as clear as a bell. Then  I ran. Nothing was really ever said about it to me that afternoon.

The following Monday, Daddy went off to work as he always did. Upon his return we sat down to eat supper and he began to tell about his day. He half grinned (you know that grin) and said that the fellas at work all chimed in and sang my little ditty to him. He began to turn pink while telling the story. I kept my eyes glued to my plate watching him out of the corner of my eye. He grinned real big and looked at me and that was it I just had to smile back.  I had no way of knowing that the pagers broadcast to all the pagers in that network and not just his. I had really embarrassed my Daddy that day but in a really fun little girl who loves her Daddy way. It was a fun memory for me, I am sure he would not remember it nearly as fondly. TEE HEE

Mike had been in Arlington for school for the entire school year my jr. year in high school.  He had a girlfriend there for several months and they had even talked about marriage.  He had broken up with her, but I realized that from that distance I needed to give up my dream and get on with my life.  I had the opportunity to go to Tennessee for much of the summer, so I took it.  I had never spent more than a couple of weeks at a time there, so I was excited!  I stayed with my grandmother part of the time and with my cousin, Charlotte, part of the time.  I had so much fun and while I still thought about Mike frequently, I was ready to move on.

While I was gone, I received a few letters from my friends in Texas.  I found out that Mike had been asking about me.  I had put on a few pounds while I was in Tennessee and Mike had heard about it.  My group of friends from church all "hung out" together especially on weekend.  They would write notes and send to me in one enve lope.  One of the last letters I received had the picture of a little pig that Mike had sketched for my benefit. (That was classic Mike) I, of course, was appalled!

My first weekend back in Odessa, I was with my church friends and they mentioned that Mike was coming in for the weekend.  Great, I thought, this is gonna be tough.  Test me right off! Mike came in before I went home.  He was his usual, pick at everybody self.  I didn't notice any particular attention my direction.  But, the next night he took me to play "fooseball" at the bowling alley with my sister, Vicky, and her date.  On Sunday afternoon, we went to the sandhills in Monahans.  I was soooooo confused.

Mike started coming in frequently from Arlington and soon asked me if I would start writing him letters.  I wanted to be excited, but knew if things didn't work out it was really going to hurt, so I held back a little.  We wrote more frequently and then he started calling me once a week.  You know, I think the way we communicated then was more exciting than it is today.  Now you use your cell phone to call anyone at anytime on their cell phone, it is just not the same. 

Then, Mike told me that he was coming back to Odessa.  He was going to take classes at our church.  They were using a correspondence class and he wanted me to audit the classes with him.   I was holding out less and less.  I started to think it could work out.

He came back the end of November. 

The holidays are my favorite time of year.  Christmas decorations, gift shopping, the wonderful food, parties, it was very exciting and this year (1971) it was exciting, because I was experiencing all of it with Mike.  One Friday night, Mike took me to eat Pizza, with his mom and stepdad.  They went over to the jukebox and as we sat in the booth in the dimly

lit pizza parlor, Mike took my hand and placed his senior ring in my palm, he looked deeply into my brown eyes, and said "Can you wear this without losing it?"   Yep, that's the stuff dreams are made of.  Very much "Mike", and yes, I took that hugh ring and wore it with yarn wrappped around it to make it fit.  I did NOT lose it, or Mike...That's anouther story! ...to be continued.

Jan wrote yesterday (11/8/2009) evening on FaceBook:

"Mike is basically unchanged. Mainly sleeps, minimal responsiveness. But he seems to be comfortable, requires very few extra doses of medication. No seizure today! Yeah! But best of all, when I put my hand to his face, he closed his eyes and muttered "Mmm". I am so grateful for every minute I am allowed to keep him here with us."

Update 11/9/2009

My Mother (Jan) texted this morning to tell us all that he has no change but he had another seizure at approximately 7:30am. I will update more a little later this evening.