The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.These people have an appreciation, sensitivity, and understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.Beautiful people don't just happen.
Michael was a beautiful person that did not just happen.At the age of 11 he was diagnosed with Fredrick Ataxia, an inherited disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system.Throughout his life he faced struggles and defeats; however, he always maintained a positive outlook on life and brought many joys to everyone that knew him.
On February 9, 2009 Michael fell on his front steps causing his kidney to burst. He had emergency surgery to remove it, and after two days in intensive care he passed away.
Since his death, some people have remarked how sad it was that he was just nineteen when he died.But the way I look at it Michael was a lot like a “Morning Glory” flower.Morning glories, if you look closely at them, will show you how extraordinary they are both in color and texture.And that in their center is a kind of golden light that shines from within.At the end of the day they turn a most beautiful shade of lavender and then close up, wither, and die.They live for only one day and they are gone.
You see, it doesn’t matter how long your life is.It only matters that you were here in all your glory and that you opened up completely and let your light shine. And that you brought joy to those who came into contact with you.That’s what matters to the morning glory, and that’s what should really matter to all of us.
The connection I had with Michael is not a connection that can be broken because of physical death.The connection stays.You may just have to listen differently. You may just have to talk differently.The truth is:the connection is never broken.It’s quite impossible to break the most powerful connection in the universe.Love is stronger than death even though it can’t stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can’t separate people from love.It can’t take away our memories. In the end, life is stronger than death.
Sharon Breedlove
The ‘’Michael Breedlove Memorial Book Mobile” is a way of passing along the things Michael taught many.Each milestone in life is an accomplishment.Many children face challenges in life, but sometimes all they need is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.Helping these children have the best opportunity life has to offer is his family’s way of sharing Michael’s compassion with the world.
Michael Breedlove Memorial Book Mobile & Backpack Program
There are over 1,000 children in the 4 Hominy Valley Elementary Schools receiving free lunches.
The Backpack Program is a way to get food into the hands of children.On Friday the kids pick up a bag of food for the weekend.This program runs through the school year.
The founder of the Michael Breedlove Memorial Book Mobile saw a need for summer backpacks.Last summer she distributed 76 bags filled with food, and a book of their choice to children who attend SandHill-VenableElementaryschool once a week.
The goal is to get year round backpacks to every child in need who attends Hominy Valley Elementary, Candler Elementary, Pisgah Elementary and Sand Hill-Venable Elementary.
How Can You Help?
By donating items the kids can fix for themselves for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Examples:Easy pull top cans of spaghetti O’s, soups, raviolis, fruit cups, breakfast bars, cheese crackers, pop tarts and juice boxes...or you can donate new or gently used children’s books.
To help support the Michael Breedlove Memorial Book Mobile & Backpack Program please contact Sharon Breedlove @ 828-215-5922,
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,or Sand Hill-Venable Elementary School @ 828-670-5028.
