November 2009 Monthly Message

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters:

Welcome to my Monthly Message for November 2009!

Where do I start? Okay, most of you know by now that my mom was diagnosed with an aggressive uterine cancer in October. What should have been a normal hysterectomy surgery and then home for rehab and TLC turned into a nightmare with her getting a serious blood infection that settled on a heart valve and slowly became a life and death situation. She was admitted on November 1st and is still there 17 days later. Although there is some good news and that is they were able to treat the infection, and she received the surgery which was very successful. I hope to have her home in the near future so please keep her in your prayers. Also, please keep her husband, Harry in your prayers as well as he, too, is in the hospital.

Yes, in my wildest dreams I never though my case would get reversed, and I would be sitting in my mother’s home writing this message. However, I definitely never thought I would be at home and my mother and Harry would both be in the hospital. This just shows you life is full of surprises, and we need to make the best of the present moment.

The Lord says you will never be tested more than what you can actually handle. However, sometimes it seems we are tested beyond our limits. Fortunately, it is truly amazing how in the moment we think all is lost – some people see your time of desperate need and are moved by the spirit to lend a helping hand. Not only does my mom have some wonderful friends, but I realized I, too, have some truly great people in my life. Words will never express my level of gratitude to Pam, Barbara and Phil, and Liz for going so far out of your way to help me. You guys have been outstanding! In addition, I was blessed with the opportunity to finally bond with my step sister, Beth through this whole ordeal. She is a wonderful individual with the biggest heart, and it was so nice to see her show unconditional love to my mom – especially during a difficult time for her as well.

One thing is for sure, during my nine years in prison I had plenty of time to reflect about all my bad decisions and misgivings. It was an important lesson for me to learn that I have to keep my ego in check when taking things in life for granted. All in all, I’m glad I learned that important lesson, because I feel it was necessary with helping me to prepare for some of the challenges I would be facing. Another important thing I want to mention is I would never have made it this far without everyone’s love and support. The Lord has blessed me with some truly wonderful people, and I believe that was just another one of God’s gifts to me so I could cope with this temporary dilemma. Heck, the fact the Judge allowed me to visit my mom in the Rhode Island Hospital was a miracle in itself. So, yes I am extremely grateful to everyone even if I haven’t mentioned your name in this message.

Here’s a quick story I want to share with everyone and maybe you can relate to my story with your own life. My mom’s and Harry’s garden was filled with weeds that were about three feet tall, and they wanted to know if I could dig them up and turn the soil. I thought “no problem” especially after I took care of all the roots and vines entangled with the shrubs out front. Well, as the hours went by, and I dug and dug and pulled and ripped, I couldn’t believe all the roots. There were so many! Some were the size of a pencil while others were as thick as a soda can which required an ax for removal. It seemed the more I dug, the more roots there were. After the first day of total exhaustion and realizing I barely made it half way, I was now more determined than ever to finish the following day. No, I was not looking forward to another day of root pulling and digging! However, at the end of the second day as I graded the beautiful rich soil like when you frost a cake, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. It didn’t really hit me how strong this feeling was until I compared it with my life. In a spiritual sense or setting, I realized I had pulled all the old roots up in my life. I was starting new and starting fresh – and it does feel good especially when your heart is in the right place and you are trying to do the right thing. The power of intention is amazing!

I know this is a month of Thanksgiving and even though I will be alone without family, my heart is so grateful for everything I have been blessed with. Plus, I feel like this will be a great opportunity for me, my mom, and Harry to start new, start fresh, and look forward to the journey that is ahead especially the day I re-unite with my own daughters. As they say, “with God – all things are possible”. So yes, I’m going to keep the faith that all things will work out.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone for your kindness and generous gifts on my birthday. That was very thoughtful! Plus, I hope Liz, my mom, and Dave all had a wish come true on their birthdays this month.

My movie recommendation is “The Proposal”. It stars Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Craig Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, and the pleasant Betty White. To say it best – this simply is a really good movie everyone can enjoy.

My profound quote is: “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish”. (John Quincy Adams). A good friend of my mother’s – Nicole, sent this quote to her, and as I was reading it to my mother for inspiration and inner strength, I realized I have to use it because it is quite appropriate.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Until next month, take care and remember: “The answers to the mysteries of life hide in the pain of our most difficult experiences”.

Love & Light to All

Michael

October 2009 Monthly Message

Dear Family, Friends and Supporters:

Welcome to my Monthly Message for October 2009!

Well – I have been out of prison for a little more than a month now, and I must say being free is awesome. Although I am still under “house arrest” which kind of sucks; it is definitely better than being in prison. Plus, I don’t think I could have it much better than what I have at the present moment. My mother and step father have been treating me like royalty. Their German shepherd puppy - which is a year old - has more energy and love than one person can absorb. So, I have definitely been blessed. In addition, I have been working around the house and in the yard staining their picket fence and trying to keep busy. Also, it has been really nice receiving visits from Dick, Barbara, Phil, Pam, and Liz.

Hopefully, the judge will allow my request to modify my release conditions to a curfew. Then, I can start to live my life like a person who is actually free. I should know by the end of this month.

I want to thank everyone for being so kind and thoughtful with sending clothes, cards, and letters. There have been some really generous people helping me start over and some who have always been there with love and support through prayer. Thank you so much! I can’t forget to give a special “shout-out” to Ralph in Oregon. You have been truly a thoughtful and kind “long distance” friend. Thank you and Happy Belated Birthday!

Okay, it is important I remind everyone this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So please try and be conscientious about this issue. If there is anything extra you can do – please try and make the effort. Remember – think PINK even though orange is the traditional color for October.

It is hard to believe it has been nine years since I got to carve a pumpkin for Halloween. I used to carve them with my daughters, but I look forward to carving a pumpkin with my mom this year. I’m going to try and stay away from eating too much candy, and it will be fun seeing all the “trick or treaters”.

Sorry this month’s message is short. In closing, I know it is easy to take for granted looking at nature each and every day. However, I hope everyone will take an extra moment to appreciate the beauty of the foliage this month. It is supposed to be spectacular due to the sunny days and cold nights. It is just another one of God’s miracles.

Also before I end, I want to wish my Dad a Happy Birthday, and I hope to see you soon. Last but not least, to my good friend, Diane B., I miss you so much and I am sorry we haven’t been able to talk or see one another. Our time will come. I will always remember your love and support, and know we will see each other soon.

My movie recommendations will get better now that I don’t have any restrictions, and my cousin, Pam was kind enough to give me a gift for free rentals from Netflix. However, this month’s recommendation is “Disturbia” which is an action thriller that is not that great. However, I thought it would be appropriate for those of you who want to know what it is like to be under “house arrest”, and have to wear an electronic bracelet. The main star is Shia LaBeouf (Transformers), and he definitely played the role perfectly. Most of you will enjoy this movie.

My profound quote is: “The present moment is the field on which the game of life happens”. (Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth).

Until next month, take care and remember; “The answers to the mysteries of life hide in the pain of our most difficult experiences”.

Love and Light to All,

Michael