| Author | Message | ||
     Prior |
Everyone, Today at 4:40pm, Matt jumped into the arms of the Lord and left his broken down body behind. As you know, I had promised him that his family would be by his side and that he would not be alone. We almost goofed that up. Dan, Scott, Tim and I had left his room for just a moment. I came back in and Lori told me that he had spared me, and had gone to heaven. I thought, 'NO!' It is not supposed to work this way, and felt horrible that I had walked into the hall for even a moment. I picked up his hand and began to pray a prayer asking God to welcome him to Himself, and as I prayed Matt took another breath. I then prayed a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God for loaning Matt to us for 28 years... Tim, Scott, and Dan walked in. Matt took yet another breath, and we held his hands... and each other and thanked God for Matt in our lives. Matt ever so lightly squeezed my hand and went to the Lord. It doesn't get any better then that!! As prepared as we could possibly be for this, we are a little numb, and just resting in God's peace tonight. I will send out an email with the details for the final arrangements for Matt tomorrow. I can tell you that the memorial service will be Saturday and visitation will be Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow I will have all of the final details. I hope that you can share in the peace that God is providing, and that you can come share in the celebration of Matt's life with us! With much love, Mitch and family I will miss my friend, but I am so glad that he went peacefully and was with is family. There will be no more chemo, radiation, hospice or pain. Matt is up there, looking down on all of us, marveling in the ability to run, jump, drive fast cars and not have any worries on his mind. He's probably burning around on a Buell now too. Matt's touched a lot of lives, many more you can imagine. There have been so many here that have been there for Matt and his family, and I truly thank you for that. God willing, I'd love to meet all of you, and let you get to know Matt through the times we've shared and all that I've learned about life through him. Am I sad, yes, but I am happy that he went peacefully and spent his last moments with his family. I am proud to be with your family to take you to your final resting place. Matt, I love you, my passenger pegs are down for you, and you will ride with me for the rest of my life. Alex Prior May 8th, 2007 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
thank you Alex. Mitch and Lori and family, thank you for sharing your grace and courage. ride in peace, Matt. it was an honor to know you. Ferris & Denise | ||
| M2nc |
God Speed Matt! May God comfort those you left behind. | ||
| Milo_h |
Peace Milo | ||
| Jb2 |
Ride hard, ride free Matt Ware. Footpegs down. | ||
| Ulywife |
A time of sweet sorrow. It's amazing how someone you've never met can have such an impact on your life. Thank you for being a part of our lives. You will live forever in the memory of many people here on BadWeB. Alex - you've been a truly remarkable friend to Matt. When you need support, call on those closest to you. Mitch and Lori - I am so sorry for your loss. You have dealt with Matt's illness with courage, dignity and grace that most can only hope to achieve. Your family will remain in our thoughts, prayers and hearts. Peace be with you all, Kristi | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Matt, I wish I had had the opportunity to meet you. I look forward to the opportunity to meet you. Rest with God. | ||
| Rocketman |
Matt ever so lightly squeezed my hand and went to the Lord. It doesn't get any better then that!! No it doesn't. Today was a great day. I'm happy Matt chose today. God bless xx | ||
| Nevrenuf |
as much that has been written about matt, it's hard not to say that you don't know something about him. prior, that was truly a moving peice that you wrote. please give my deepect reguards to his family and i hope you get through this trying time unscathed. went through it a couple years ago. may he rest in peace. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Well done and well fought Matt and family. Thanks for letting our community be blessed by who Matt is and will always be. Further up, and further in! | ||
| Brumbear |
the only thing that comes to me is a part of a speech given to me from my fraternity mixed with what a friend of mine once said We live our lives on the plumb,square and level usually the plumb proves perpandiculars, the level horizontals and the square is to set our work to me the plumb admonishes me to walk uprite in my stations before GOD and man the square to sqaure my actions bye the square of virtue and morality And the level reminds us that we travel along the level of time from whose bourne no one ever returns It sounds to me that Matt and family have lived together on the square and parted on the level and will meet again in the sancto sanctorum of the Grand Masters Home I am sorry I am not better with words and feelings I only hope I can live my life on the square and part it on the level with my family when my time comes GOD please comfort the Ware family tonight SO MODE IT BE | ||
| Road_thing |
See you on the other side, Matt. rt | ||
| 5liter |
Peace at last. | ||
| Daves |
Matt, now you can ride some wheelies, perfect, stand up wheelies that last forever. Alex, I too lost a friend who was more like a brother to me back on May 21st 1993 (man, doesn't seem like 14 years ago) from a similar demon (cancer). Although my brother did not hang in there and fight as long as Matt was able to. We only knew my friend was even sick for 33 days before he died I do know what you are going thru right now. I still have his bike, a 1962 rigid frame Panhead chopper and although I have not had it out for a long time I still feel a sadness every time I see it in my garage. I will never part with that bike. I still think of him almost daily. He was a true and good friend, always there, always willing. Didn't matter what, from "having my back" in a bar fight ( I was a little wilder in those days) to helping work on my bikes or just going for a ride. I know that is the kind of friends you and Matt are. Good for both of you. You are both richer for having a bond like that. Take some time. Think of the good times and bad you and Matt shared, they are all part of the deal. Let us know if there is anything Kandie and I can do to help. Maybe it's time for a road trip to Waterloo? Or call me, my cell is still 319-504-9294. If it is during the day call the business 319-342-4550 my cell phone doesn't work there. Stay strong, stand tall, be proud, you are a good friend. | ||
| Stingaroo |
Alex and Jerry, it was awesome talking to you guys tonite, jerry, thanks again for all the work you have been doing for Matt and his family. Tommorrow I should have the money collected from the IUP students that want to donate money to Matt, whose story I have passed on to many people. Alex, thanks for calling bro. I remember it well, that trip to Lewistown for Tomy.... Hang tough brother. If you ever need anyone to talk to, call ME. Reminds me of that song we have heard so many times cranked up in the old car; "Another wake, another time, a premature goodbye. I've watched you go and I've seen you pass, I always knew that it wouldn't last. Together now we mourn the loss, and remember all the fun. We'll drink the beer and we'll hang out where death took another son. So all for one and one for all, do we ever wonder why? Though the reasons clear, this friend so dear was taken before his time. So may this round be on the corpse of a dead man, with a toast that tells of a love you never shared. So as we dance on the grave of the misbehaved Raise your glass and sing the praise of a fallen soul. Many bow their heads for this man they know so well, with solemn thoughts they'll drink for a resurrection. While mother shed their tears through a veil of desperation these fiends of a vicious breed raise holy hell. How many times can fate be changed, the dice be rolled is there no path of least resistance for the bold Shocked and dismayed at how it stole his life When this fateful course of action takes its toll Now let's all gather 'round in our custom suits and ties Telling how this soul was a source of inspiration (Love him now, he lives no longer) But you always tell the tales on this friend who found the righteous path" "Fallen Soul" -Dropkick Murphys Alex, I know you know this one... Take care Matt, may we all go the same way home. Brian Cessna | ||
| Oldog |
God Speed Matt: God's Peace to you Alex.. And to the Wares. | ||
| Dbird29 |
Carole King: Peace In The Valley Looking out my window Peace in the valley just don't come Though I know that man's my brother And that I'm the selfish one The hour is getting later It's time we had begun Knowing something's one thing But the race must still be run Take care of little jealousies And talk that kills for fun And hold your heart in readiness It's so easy to come undone But I think I saw a brand new light Coming over the horizon Brighter than any other And it says all men are brothers under the skin Brothers under the skin | ||
| Berry |
Matt, I'm so glad I was able to meet and spend time with you. Though your life was short, you made a difference. Go in peace. Alex, we all should be so lucky to have a friend like you. Jim A | ||
| Imeazy |
As tears roll down my face... I was never fortunate enough to have met Matt in person. I wish I had. I did however have to lay to rest my beloved wife at the age of 26. As she had an aneurysm on her brain that took her from my kids and me way too early in life. I've been trying to provide for my two children three years and 18 months at the time ever since. They're now 14 and 12. I wish the best too his family in the days to come. I know it will not be easy. In my honest opinion it doesn't get any easier. You will however learn to deal with it. Rest in peace Matt! May one day I meet you on the other side! | ||
| Glitch |
God Speed. At least now he's in a better place. | ||
| Court |
His left us all a gift by living his life the way he did during the time he was here. Peace and comfort to the Ware family. Court | ||
| Crusty |
God speed, Matt. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I've never meet Matt but I'm still sheding a tear for a lost brother. God speed Matt!! | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Matt, rest in peace my friend. | ||
| Bomber |
Grace and Peace, Matt Alex -- many of us have "lost" brothers, as you just have -- please feel very confident that you can reach out for a shoulder, a chin to punch, someone to go on a long ride, share a beer . . . . while much of grieving take place internally, don't forget you've got folks that are ready, willing and able to join with you, if and when you like | ||
| Ikeman |
Matt, I've never met you but I surely look forward to it when the time comes... The entire Ware family is in the prayers of mine. | ||
| Rainman |
Ride in Peace, Matt Ware. I, too, will keep my footpegs down for you. No one has been on the backseat of the Blast yet, so you can break it in. Thanks to Matt's family for letting a bunch of cyberstrangers in your lives. This board is unlike so many other Internet locations and I am thankful to have found it. I'm glad you did, too. | ||
| Davegess |
GOD SPEED | ||
| Rasmonis |
Matt, Rest in peace brother, in the Lord's embrace. I too will ride with my passenger pegs down in your memory. Hop on, let's ride! Bless you and the Ware's, see you on the other side. | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Some are put on to this earth for only a short time, other's live a long life, sometimes well past what they should. No matter how long we are here, there is a purpose for our being here. Matt has touched us all in many different ways (maybe that was his purpose) in his short time here with us. I know those ways for some of us have been positive, for myself, they have. He has now passed to a place where he suffers no more. He has no restriction's, no pain and can be as he should have been while here on earth. I know that wherever he is, it's sunny, he has a "bitchen" ride, and he is happy-because before him are miles and miles of endless twisties! Death is a part of life, it hurt's us all and the pain never really goes away because of it. I think as time goes by, we just learn how to deal with it better. As I said, I bet he's up there somewhere, laughing, smiling and happy! There is a picture that I will always remember, its of Matt and Alex holding up the 2 alien guitar pix's that Ferris took along with him on one of his rides he has shared with us all. The smile that Matt has in that picture say's it all. No matter how bad things are, we can still smile and make the best of things! One day we will meet up with Matt and we will be able to laugh, joke and tell many stories (boy, do I have a lot of stories to tell). Until then, we'll get through the pain, sadness and as time goes by all we will remember are the happy times, laughter and love that Matt shared with all of us. And how he touched so many lives in such a small amount of time. Our thoughts and wishes are with the family, Jim and Shel Corso | ||
| M1combat |
Passenger pegs down. | ||
| Prior |
Everyone, Here are the final arrangements for Matt: Visitation is at: Matthysse, Kuiper and DeGraaf Funeral Home 4646 Kalamazoo S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49508 616-455-1535 Hours for visitation are 2-4 and 7-9 Thursday May 10 and Friday May 9. A celebration of Matt's life will be held at: Madison Square CRC Church 1434 Madison Ave. S.E. Grand Rapids MI 49507 616-245-7791 The service will begin at 1pm. Interment will be immediately after at: Rest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetary 3450 Eastern Ave. S.E. Grand Rapids MI 49508 616-243-0294 As you can imagine, we are going to be very busy these next few days. I will however send out one last update/email in a week or two. In the meantime, please keep us in your prayers... that we will honor our sons memory in a fashion that he would be pleased with, and that we will stop 'doing' long enough recieve Gods abundant peace and bring joy and comfort to others who grieve along with us! Mitch and family | ||
| CJXB |
I'm so very sorry to hear, even though I knew it was coming. It was humbling to be able to read and share it all. Matt will be in my thoughts probably for a long while, God's Peace for Alex and the Ware's. | ||
| Greenlantern |
We pass now quickly from each other's sight; but I know full well that where beyond these passing scenes you shall be, there will be Heaven. Major General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain God speed Matt. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
He put up a courageous fight.... My best to the family. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
[EDIT: edited to correct Friday's date and add "Saturday May 12" to the Celebration of Matt's Life. - FB] Visitation is at: Matthysse, Kuiper and DeGraaf Funeral Home 4646 Kalamazoo S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49508 616-455-1535 Hours for visitation are 2-4 and 7-9 Thursday May 10 and Friday May 11. A celebration of Matt's life will be held Saturday May 12 at: Madison Square CRC Church 1434 Madison Ave. S.E. Grand Rapids MI 49507 616-245-7791 The service will begin at 1pm. Interment will be immediately after at: Rest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetary 3450 Eastern Ave. S.E. Grand Rapids MI 49508 616-243-0294 thx to all who have posted. ride in peace, Matt Ware. |
