Stay Together For The Kids - Michael Clifford Fanfiction

The End Part 2

"We gather here today to celebrate the life of Michael Gordon Clifford, who has now returned to his home with Our God, The Father." The priest introduces himself, and proceeds to recite a verse I recognise from the Gospels.

I'm not really listening. I don't mean to be rude, it's just hard to concentrate. Michael wasn't really religious. He didn't know whether there was a great beyond, and he didn't care. He just wanted to be happy in his time on earth. I wonder if he was.

I zone back in as the priest closes his bible, and a collection of 'amen' can be heard throughout the church.

"I would like to invite Karen Clifford, Michael's mother, to read a poem for Michael." The priest says, before stepping away from the podium.

I look to my left, and see Karen standing up from the pews. She looks tired, worn. She is not crying but I can tell she wants to. I feel guilty for not been there for her right now.

"Thank you Priest Hallan." She says softly, nodding to the priest. "And thank you to everyone who has came today. I'm sure Michael would of been as pleasantly surprised as I am to see how many lives he touched." Karen smiles slightly, then looks down at her paper. She takes a deep breath and looks back up, and begins to read.

Her poem is beautiful, and I recognise it as a poem by Pamela Davies.

Unendingly I mourn my precious son
Too early yet this earthly home he left,
Perfidious sleep confounded nature's order
To leave his loves perpetually bereft.

Those golden dreams and aspirations,
The seed of yesterday a withered bloom,
Those baubles which are cause to celebrate
In death now mock us gently from his tomb.

How treacherous death does steal on youth's exuberance,
To wreak such havoc from the ecstasy of life,
Where once was only joy and future promise
Tormented hearts endure eternal strife.

I hear Karens sobbing through her words, making the poem take longer then it would have. Her tears are short but as is her breathing, and I want to run up to her, to hug her.

She quietens after the poem, and wipes her eyes. "A mother should never have to bury her child. But I have a small condolence in knowing he lived a happy life. He loved, he accomplished, he lived. I hope he is happy, wherever he may be now." Karen pauses, letting her sobbing get the best of her for a second. "I love you." She chokes out.

She continues on, talking about early memories of Michael that leave us all with sad smiles and our own memories of Michael. It feels good to remember him as something beautiful though.

Karen finishes, stepping away and down to her seat, tears staining her face and forever flowing. Before she reaches her seat however, she glances over to me, and we both have a look recognition and deepest sympathy to one another. I could never imagine losing my child. But I can't still understand the pain she is going through right now.

"Thank you, Karen." The priest says. "Lily is also here to say a few kind words." He gestures over to me, and I feel someone squeeze my arm. My stomach plunges as I prepare myself for this. Show time.

I stand up, trying hard to focus on my breathing and not on having a breakdown. I walk to the podium, and look around the room.

It is hard to distinguish faces, but it is not hard to see the pain in everyone. I look over to Karen and take a deep breath.

"I've met a lot of people today." I start. "People I didn't know even knew Michael that well. That I didn't realise Michael had an affect on. And everyone says the same thing. 'I loved Michael.' Well, I know that he isn't hear to tell you. But he loves you too." I pause, taking another breath. "I know I'm supposed to be talking about Michael, talking about the amazing person he was, sharing stories that will make us all smile. But looking around and seeing everybody here, I don't think I need to tell you. We will all have a little memory of Michael, a little piece of him that no one else has. Because that's who Michael was. He loved people. He loved them fully, with everything he had. His greatest mission in life was to see everyone smile around him. And from the kind words I've heard today, I know he achieved that. So whether you remember Michael from the music he made, the smile on his face, from a simple conversation, or even through a song, I want you to know he loves you. And maybe he was taken too early, and too young. But I know he died happy, because he knew how much you loved him too."