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Message |
    
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 01:55 pm: | 
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from Mitch Ware:
May 1, 2007
Everyone,
We are writing this note to let you know that Matt is in his last days of consciousness. The doctor shared with us that the tumors are shutting Matt’s body and mind down. Soon he won’t be able to speak at all, eat, move his eyes etc. If this progresses this way, he will sleep more, and eventually leap over to the arms of the Lord. Thankfully he is not in any pain, nor has he had any seizures. What a huge blessing… another answer to your prayers!
As I rub lotion on his face and head, we sometimes exchange glances… occasionally locking eyes as if we are discovering each other for the first time, again. I remember when he was baby and doing something similar. I remember thinking, this little guy is wondering what kind of weird mustache is this daddy wearing... my dad is way to silly, why would anyone blow air on my tummy just to get a laugh… I wonder if there is a return policy? Now when I catch those blues eyes looking into mine, I think he 'needs something' and I ask him if he is 'okay'… he says as if to be put-out a little (and in true Matt form) “sure… why wouldn’t I be?? I can only smile and shake my head. If that were me laying there trapped in my own broken down body I would not be fine. I would be a basket case… I think anyway. Again I remind him that as his body shuts down piece by piece like this, his spirit becomes stronger and more fortified, as does ours. God is preparing not only Matt for the next chapter but us as well.
We learned something new yesterday. When you are in control and things are going well, your mind can still sneak up on you! About mid-morning we went to the funeral home to make the all of the arrangements. Our primary concern was finding the right fit for us as a family, a funeral home staffed with people that would provide excellent service, enough facilities to manage large groups, and do so at a fair price. It went very well. A few hours afterwards, I was consumed with sadness and grief. At first I couldn’t put my finger on why, and why right now? It had been a great day, compared to what we thought it might be. We liked the young guy at the funeral home, made some new friends, the whole process went well, even had some good laughs. This sadness isn’t like me. Then it finally dawned on me, for a few hours, I had laid my sword down and accepted the inevitable and made those final arrangements. Wow, what a revelation. So I picked up that sword as quickly as I could, thinking that for now anyway, the fight is still on and there will be time for mourning later. Plenty of it! It was as if God was planting the seed “what will you do after the fight?” God showed me that there is always an ‘after the fight’ period, which I have not really allowed myself to contemplate. My job is to help Matt live, fight the good fight etc. But then what? I felt in my spirit that there is a plan for me… for all of us and not to worry. But in the back of my mind, I have spent all day every day with Matt. Without him in my life what will I do? I guess that this is part of the normal grieving process. I have no idea what the answer is just yet, I just know that there is an answer. Stay tuned… but for now at least, the battle rages and we are all in the middle of it… together! Matt is hanging in there and so are we.
If you want to visit with Matt, now is the time. He can still speak some, he knows who you are and what is going on. He just gets tired a little quicker and naps more. But, he loves to have visitors or receive emails. He can’t speak on the phone, or see the screen on it for text messages etc, so Lori or I read his email to him. He loves hearing those stories about ‘remember when’, or tales of your new exploits!
Matt and us want to thank Tara Leyes, and Mike and Jamie Johnson for working so hard on Matt’s carwash! They organized and put on the best carwash ever! Tons of suds and elbow grease! Attached are some photos of the gang in action and you find more photos of the carwash on Matt's photo website www.flickr.com/photos/team_matt_ware Everyone had a blast, washed a zillion cars… even got some sunburn as the weatherman came through as promised. People lined up from 10am until after 7pm. to get their car washed and contribute to Matt cause. What a great start to our fund raising efforts. Matt is so very thankful and tremendously proud of his friends. We love them very much too!
Sorry this is so long, just wanted to share this part of the journey with you. Have a wonderful day
Mitch and family
gr_wares at hotmail dot com
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on May 05, 2007) |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 03:01 pm: |
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Thank you for posting that Jerry. |
Djkaplan
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 04:58 pm: |
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The inevitable will come when it comes, but there is no reason to feel powerless, helpless, or hopeless in the face of it. The strength of those that surround Matt is all that he needs now.
Thank God Matt is surrounded by such great friends and family when he needs them the most. In my own inevitable end, that's exactly the way I'd want it.
Danny |
Rocketsprink
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 06:07 pm: |
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I hope that when the day comes for me and my Family to deal with this type of issue, we have the hope, love, friends and bravery your family has.
Even thought I've never met you or Matt, I can't help but be humbled and inspired by your strength. When Matt's time comes, as it will for us all someday, I hope I can face it head on with pride and dignity as you and he are at this very moment. God speed Matt. I believe he will be missed more than he can ever know. |
Bcordb3
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 06:31 pm: |
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It is the journey,not the destination, thank you for letting me tag along for the ride.
You are a great man, Matt.
Via con Dios. |
Ulywife
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 09:18 pm: |
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I continue to marvel at the writings/updates from Mitch about Matt and his condition and now final days. The strength and faith that one must have to be able to express themselves the way that you have amazes me.
God Bless |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 09:46 pm: |
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Thank you for posting that Jerry.
Blake, thx for creating and maintaining such a cool place for cool people to be such cool people.
thx to all who have posted and who have Matt and his family in your hearts and prayers tonight.
Alex, we're all riding with you, too.
FB&D |
Bluzm2
| | Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 01:35 am: |
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Wow, I'm once again speechless.
I wish I was closer so I could vist.
I need to go hug my family....
Brad |
Prior
| | Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 02:26 am: |
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Thanks Jerry.
I sent Mitch an email this evening, asked him to tell Matt that I loved him and my passenger pegs are always down- he's been riding with me for a long time.
God is close to calling my friend, I am so happy that he is peaceful and with his family. I am thinking about the last visit we had and cherishing those moments, and I am sure Matt understands why.
(Message edited by awprior on May 03, 2007)
(Message edited by awprior on May 03, 2007) |
Loki
| | Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 11:02 pm: |
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When the time comes. I think I will take the day off and ride up into the hills. Find a calm spot and sit for a bit. Do some reflecting and musing. Then finish my ride, knowing that friends will be looking down and smiling.
Matt and family,
I am really at a loss for words. So many others have stated my thoughts. So much more than I could put forth. |
Stephan
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2007 - 06:56 pm: |
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Dear Sir,
I do not know your son personally but anyone who rides, and move over Buells is a family member. I want you too know that I am thinking of Matt and hope only the best for him and your family. Sometime we can't find the good in a event because all it seems too be is bad times, but as we go on we remember only the good times as we should always. I know this too be true as I lost a very special friend and love one a year ago today. Tell Matt that I wish I would have met him and went through some of the twisty here in Georgia.
A friend Always
Stephan Buell |
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