Michael


Michael A friend of mine died yesterday. Actually, he died two days ago, but with the miracle (or lack thereof), of modern technology, a life support machine kept his heart beating. So, technically, he died two days ago. Life support, is a selfish way to keep the already passed person closer to you for just a bit longer. They cannot accept the fact that this has occurred, and allow a machine to control their last beats. To be honest, I would probably have done the same thing. Then again, I have never been in a situation of the sort, and I pray I never do. His name was Terry Michael Houston. He was a senior at Parkland High School with a life waiting for him. He had a good, stable family, a girlfriend who was more than that - she was his best friend and soul mate. But, drugs clouded his mind of what is right and wrong. And, while not purposely done, his body was trying to reject the drugs as he slept. He choked on his own vomit, inhaling it back into his lungs and suffocating. Technically, when he was found the next morning, he was classified as ‘dead.’ However, paramedics revived him and he was sent to the ICU unit of Forsyth Hospital. But it was not long before the doctors realized that the lack of oxygen to Michael’s brain during the period between the occurrence and being found was just too long. He was then classified as being brain dead, and his only real chances of survival were dropped at a measly one percent. Even if he did live, however, he would have never been the same Michael we all knew and loved ever again. His parents waited for a miracle, never to be answered. The decision to turn the life support machine off was too painful to do so quickly. So they stalled, like anyone with a heart probably would. Between four and five p.m. on Wednesday, October 2nd, Michael’s life support was turned off and his soul was sent to be in Heaven. Michael lived a short, yet valuable life. His actions, however, will show others the dangers of drugs, and the risks in taking chances. He will be greatly missed and deeply mourned. But as time goes on, things will begin to get easier, our hearts will learn to accept this natural process, and we will come to peace with his untimely death. But one thing is for sure, Michael has made an impression in not only my life, but in everyone’s he knew. He will live on forever, in our hearts. How does that saying go? Oh yeah, “Let the good die young.”


Kristy Boyd 10/3/02