Mike was an avid Nascar race fan and attended many races and never missed his Sunday races. Mom couldn't call during race time as noone interrupted his races. He was a Dale Earnhart fan and wore his hat proudly.
Easter 2004 Mike and family flew to Arizona to visit his mother, Linda. His favorite place was the Grand Canyon. We got to see a California Condor and found my tree that I called my horse tree. This is the four of them resting and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Mike out on a rock at Grand Canyon.....not on trail one should be using. He had the car keys. Made Tammy and his mother very nervous, but how he loved exploring the views. Didn't get his lack of fear from his mother; I was afraid of heights and not a risk-taker.
Mike with his new camaro that he totaled six months later. He tried to avoid a deer and rolled over in the ditch and into a field and hit a tree. He managed to get out and wandered out onto the highway where he was then hit by an old lady throwing him up on to the hood through the window. He woke up in the hospital with broken leg and gashed forehead. Police said he was lucky to be alive as they don't know how he got out of his car alive. When Mike told me this story I thought he was joking around and waited for the punchline. Of course he didn't tell me about the accident until two months later, only because he needed a co-signer to pay off the car. He had cancelled the collision insurance the day before the accident. That was the way his luck went.
Michael Joseph Stilson died December 20, 2004 in Painted Post, NY due to suicide. He suffered depression which was undiagnosed and untreated. He seemed to be doing better. Michael kept alot of his problems to himself and felt that he was alone dispite the numerous number of friends and family that he had. One never really understands suicide or recognizes the signs for suicide until in most cases it is too late. Unless the person is ready to accept that they need help, there is little one can do. They are at a loss for dealing with their pain and feelings of loneliness and various causes of depression and thus feel suicide is their only answer to eliminate the feelings they are having. They are not themselves and acting irrational and not thinking of the consequences. Drinking increases their feelings of depression and changes them so that they sometimes act out in rage and commit suicide to end their pain. Their pain is ended but it leaves behind pain for the loved ones they leave behind with the trauma and unanswered questions. I pray that Michael is at peace now with the Lord and that he is embraced with love from those that have gone ahead to be with the Lord. I pray for the recovery of those that are left to deal with his loss, myself included, so that we can heal and remember the loving, happy Michael from better days. I love you Michael, forever and always. Mom,
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