A Proper Burial for a Kind Man
Donation protected
Have you ever met someone who always smiled? Someone filled with unspeakable happiness? Someone who never complained?
I have.
But, tragically, he was killed Tuesday night as he tried to cross Covington Highway.
His name was Michael and he was a friend of my family's for almost 20 years. The irony of his constant happiness is that, from the world's standards, Michael had more to complain about than anyone I have known.
He grew up poor and never made it past the sixth grade in school. He and his 11 brothers and sisters lost their mom at an early age. He had a hip injury that caused constant pain. Like I said...plenty to complain about.
And yet he never did. Instead, he worked hard and always with a smile on his face. He never met a stranger and showed kindness to all. He greeted my children with a "hey there little butterfly" each time he saw them when they would visit Grammy.
Almost 20 years ago, when my mom lived in Sandy Springs, he began working for her once a week doing odd jobs and maintaining her yard. When she moved to Kennesaw, Michael figured out the route to continue working for her.
Every week he would awaken at 4 AM and take 3 buses and 2 trains to get from Lithonia to Kennesaw. It was a 2.5 hour trip in total. He would work hard all day and then make the 2.5 hour trip back home. Every week.
He walked with a limp and, at times, you could see the pain his hip caused him. But, if you ever asked him to take it easy he would shoo you off and get back to whatever work he had at hand: hanging Christmas lights, cleaning out the garage, moving furniture, yard work etc.
Being a day worker, Michael had no funds set aside and no insurance to cover burial costs. This Christmas we want to honor Michael with a proper burial. Cremation costs start at $3,000 and ground burials start at $9,000. Any amount you could give this Christmas season to ensure a kind and hard working man is not simply forgotten would be appreciated.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
I have.
But, tragically, he was killed Tuesday night as he tried to cross Covington Highway.
His name was Michael and he was a friend of my family's for almost 20 years. The irony of his constant happiness is that, from the world's standards, Michael had more to complain about than anyone I have known.
He grew up poor and never made it past the sixth grade in school. He and his 11 brothers and sisters lost their mom at an early age. He had a hip injury that caused constant pain. Like I said...plenty to complain about.
And yet he never did. Instead, he worked hard and always with a smile on his face. He never met a stranger and showed kindness to all. He greeted my children with a "hey there little butterfly" each time he saw them when they would visit Grammy.
Almost 20 years ago, when my mom lived in Sandy Springs, he began working for her once a week doing odd jobs and maintaining her yard. When she moved to Kennesaw, Michael figured out the route to continue working for her.
Every week he would awaken at 4 AM and take 3 buses and 2 trains to get from Lithonia to Kennesaw. It was a 2.5 hour trip in total. He would work hard all day and then make the 2.5 hour trip back home. Every week.
He walked with a limp and, at times, you could see the pain his hip caused him. But, if you ever asked him to take it easy he would shoo you off and get back to whatever work he had at hand: hanging Christmas lights, cleaning out the garage, moving furniture, yard work etc.
Being a day worker, Michael had no funds set aside and no insurance to cover burial costs. This Christmas we want to honor Michael with a proper burial. Cremation costs start at $3,000 and ground burials start at $9,000. Any amount you could give this Christmas season to ensure a kind and hard working man is not simply forgotten would be appreciated.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Organizer
Kristina Gansser
Organizer
Roswell, GA
