MICHAEL

Michael Emmett Smith, Jr.

May 25, 1970 - June 15, 2008

This is my brother Michael with his son Elliot. He passed away last night. And even though it was one of those cenarios where you knew this call would come - it in no way prepares you for it. It was a very rough afternoon/evening which ended with a decision to be made. And again, even if you always knew how you would handle & choose in a situation like this - it changes all perspective when it's staring straight at you. I carry a lot of guilt for not calling more & trying harder. But, that is neither here nor their at this point.

My brother Jeremy reminded us of a story last night that completely explains Michael I think. When Michael & Jeremy were in there early teens they had paper routes. This was back in the day where the "paper boys" had to go around to their customers & collect the money. Well, Michael went to this door to collect money & an older man answered the door. The man gave Michael the money & then handed him an extra quarter saying,"Here, this is for you." Michael just looked at him & the man said,"go buy yourself an ice cream cone." Being the quick-witted person Michael is he looked at the man & replied,"Thanks, but could you pay for the ice cream, too?" He was very quick & never afraid to speak his mind.

I remember being at a friends house in high school & talking to her older sister one night. We found out that she knew my brother in high school & they had seminary together. She told me how they were always amazed at the questions that would come out of his mouth. Back in high school he was what they called back then a "mod". (I guess that would be an equivalent to a "goth" now days.) She said how they would be in awe to see this kid all dressed in black & looking a little strange to come up with such profound questions. He would even stump the seminary teacher. I had the same seminary teacher years later at a different high school & he still very much remembered Michael. Bro. Searle told me how he would have to go home & research things after Michael would ask questions. He told me he had never before had such an intuitive student before. He even ended up winning the scripture mastery award his senior year.

I also think that this post would not be complete without some clarifications on one of our favorite family stories. One that I will never live down & always get harrassed for. For Michael's birthday one year (I believe his 13th, so I would have been 7.) I wanted to get him the Michael Jackson "Thriller" record. (Yes, record, before CD's.) Now, I knew he wanted this, so my mom let me get it. Well, my brothers still make fun of me that I got this for me & not really for him - since he didn't want it. But, I know otherwise & harrass me all you want, but I think there's something to say in the fact that my Mom bought it for me to give to him. I was only 7 & couldn't buy it myself. There's got to be some validity in the fact that he wanted it otherwise she would have talked me in to buying something else.

Michael loved his son very much. Elliot is a beautiful boy & my heart goes out to him. I love my brother & even though the last few years have been hard - he's still my brother. He will be greatly missed & it's times like this that remind me of how grateful I am for the truthfulness of the gospel. I know I will see him again & that is my comfort right now.