Just Not The Same

Of course not. Dad's not here.

When I cheer or boo at football games on TV, I learned that from Dad.

I'm seeking strength in my life now, and wonder if Dad may have been able to help. I hesitate to seek help from anyone thinking, "I can do this" - and this time is especially hard. I'm questioning everything and hoping for motivation somewhere.

I know full well that motivation will come from me. I do like to pin it on an Event, though. Oh where are you? I am summoning you. Better days ahead, I am sure.

Guitar-playing Dad

I don't know when Dad learned to play the guitar but I would guess in the early 70s. He used to play it and sing songs to us when Eric and I were small, probably stopping by the time we were in 3rd or 4th grade. I've been singing some of the same songs to my kids since they were born. Songs like: I've Been Working on the Railroad, She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain When She Comes, Billy Boy, Skip to My Lou and Clementine.  I recently dug out my Disney song book and revisited a few more that I remember him singing. I just sang two of our childhood favorites to Jane: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf and Winnie The Pooh. I remember loving that song book and singing over and over songs like I've Got No Strings, Bibidi-bobidi-boo, and Heigh-Ho. Eric and I also used to love singing Popeye the Sailor Man and What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor with Dad.

A Note from a Navy Colleague

This was posted on the funeral home's guest book on July 25th by Duke Chenoweth:

Five minutes ago I happened to spy an overlooked email from a Mike Bird dated 5/25/12, wondering if I was the same person he knew from his Navy days on the USS Washtenaw County (LST-1166). I was excited to hear from Mike after nearly 50 years! Before replying I clicked on his blog to learn more about his life in the interim...

My deepest sympathies to Mike's wife, children and extended family. I remember Mike very well as an intelligent and caring person with a great sense of humor. Mike was always positive and was a role model to many of his shipmates. Again, my heart-felt condolences to you all on the sudden and shocking loss of your husband and father - He was a very good man.

Danielle and Math

I took all the college-prep math classes in high school. I had the advantage of having a father who wanted to help when I got stumped on a problem. (I think this fact is one thing I probably took for granted like so many other unusual, amazing gifts of my childhood.) The problems that were especially difficult kept Dad up late but he almost always was able to show me how he solved them in the morning. I remember as a senior taking Senior Math, kind of a pre-calculus class. It was during that course that Dad told me that I'd reached a type and level of math that was beyond him. I remember how proud I was. I always admired my Dad's intellect and was in awe of his abilities. I wasn't proud that I had somehow "beaten" Dad. I was proud because not only could I manage the math in that course, I could manage it alone, without a bit of help from Dad. For once, I was proud of my accomplishment. (It has always been a lot easier for me to be self-critical.) As a parent of three now, I can imagine that Dad was proud too.

A Note from Amy Smith Money

8.4.12

Dear Diane,

    

 It was good to see you last week, even given the grim circumstances. I will forever regret not speaking at the remembrance. I could not hold back the tears every time I thought of standing up. I did want to reach out to you to share what I wasn't able to speak.

     

As a little girl I remember hiking back to the Lost River to fish with my father and sister. Dad had obtained permission for us to fish on your property. He waved and exchanged pleasantries with Mike as we passed by the house. The next several minutes were my dad marveling over "The Bird Place". He was impressed by the garden and orchard, the neatly kept animals, and most of all the home built by hand with native timber. It wasn't until I was an adult that I understood why my dad was so amazed that day.

     
I came to know and appreciate "The Bird Place" while I lived there. I understand the hard work it took to transform wilderness into a homestead, and also the careful planning, attention to detail, devotion and love that made the homestead a success.
    
 I always enjoyed talking with you and Mike (especially some of those flying squirrel stories!!). I always learned something from those exchanges also; you gave me things to ponder on.
      
The Celebration of Life for Mike was such a nice service. I heard many words used to describe him: intelligent, funny, sensitive, liberal, hard-working, competitive, generous, challenging, extra-terrestrial, etc. All are accurate; however, the guy I knew couldn't be summed up by any amount of adjectives. I think he was one-of-a-kind.  I am grateful to have been acquainted with Mike, and yourself as well.
     
I am so sorry for your loss. Until our paths cross again, be well.
                                                          
                                                                                                                  Sincerely, Amy

Music Dad Liked

Mom went through her and Dad's music and picked some songs that she knew Dad liked. I compiled them on a CD for the Celebration of Life. It was playing as people arrived. Here's the list:

1. ABBA: I Have a Dream
2. Lesley Gore: It's My Party
3. James Taylor: You've Got a Friend
4. John Lennon: Give Peace a Chance
5. Moody Blues: Tuesday Afternoon
6. Patsy Cline: Crazy
7. Tanya Tucker: Half the Moon
8. Moody Blues: Nights in White Satin
9. Simon & Garfunkel: The Sound of Silence
10. Simon & Garfunkel: Bridge Over Troubled Water
11. ABBA: Voulez-vous
12. The Teddy Bears: To Know Him Is to Love Him
13. The Beatles: When I'm 64
14. Everly Brothers: Wake Up Little Suzy
15. Righteous Brothers: Soul and Heart's Inspiration
16. Ruby & the Romantics: Our Day Will Come
17. The Crystals: Uptown
18. Paul Anka: Diana
19. Frank Sinatra: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
20. Everly Brothers: All I Have To Do Is Dream
21. The Drifters: Save the Last Dance for Me

I remember Dad listening to these when I was a kid: Beethoven's Symphonies, Moody Blues, Simon & Garfunkel, Man of La Mancha soundtrack, Neil Diamond, the Carpenters, the Oakridge Boys, Kenny Rogers. What other music did he like?

What Laura Said at the Celebration

Read by Marty Bird

To everyone here who has gathered to celebrate the life of Michael Bird, may we carry a memory in our heart for the beautiful life he lived, for the happiness he brought to those around him and for the love he gave to his family and friends. He was a very special person who may be gone from this earth but he will live on forever in our hearts. We love you Mike Bird. Here is a poem Laura found for Dad:

You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all he's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he'd want:

Smile, Open Your Eyes, Love, Laugh, and Go On.