24 Responses

1. Thomas Graham
   February 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pm

   We missed you during the Super Bowl. I hope Mike remembers most of it because it was definitely one hell of a game. I clicked on this link, so I figured I’d write something.

2. Adrea S. New
   February 13th, 2008 at 9:44 am

   Good morning to all. Each day is a good day to wake up to be able to take on the day with confidence and I am proud of each and everyone of you for looking ahead holding your head high and holding on to your faith. I know that there is no challenge that yal as a strong united family can not tackle. Your family extendes long and wide just remember that. Love Bouffie and Pop

3. rachelle
   February 14th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

   We luv you, mike. Have a wonderful day!

4. David R
   February 23rd, 2008 at 11:15 am

   Michael,

   Day 124. You have come so far Michael, I am so proud of you and your fight to be back to the man you want to be. Please never give up. Any time you feel like all is lost, ask for help. You mom will get on the phone and somebody who you want, will be there, just don’t give up, please

   I am so looking forward to seeing you today. We are going swimming again. Keep swimming and you will find yourself, guaranteed.

   I have tried to write to you this week, but it keeps getting lost in the mail. I wanted to thank all who came by last weekend to make it a great time. I want to thank Mike for coming up from Flordia and stopping in, you to Jessie. And Danny, next time duck. It is always good to see you and Mike together. Nate and Silly, love you guys. Emily, thanks for all your help. Carl, Jimmy Pat and Stu, Thanks you so much for keeping Mike in your thoughts and prayers.

   Have you seen that cluster map, that is a lot of dots? What a thrill to know that somebody on every continent except Antartica is represented, thank you world. Stay tuned for some more miraculous things to witness.

   God bless you son, I love you.

   Dad

5. David
   March 11th, 2008 at 5:26 am

   Michael,

   Day 142! A few more days and you will have been out of the hospital as long as you were in the hospital. Just for the record, you were in for 75 days.

   Your work in the pool this week was so great. Seeing you get back the stroke that won so many races. Your drive and determination are so heart warming. When you were racing the Marine, I saw how driven you are. All you have to do is work on the kick and I think you could take him. Keep it up, God Bless you son.

   Yesterday I had lunch with one of my friends who was commenting on how your mom has been your angel, how her desire to get you back has proven that a mothers’ love will heal everything. He is so right. Like everything I have told you, just remember, “What did your mom say” still holds true today. Keep listening to her guidance; you need her now more than ever.

   For all who do read this, please know that your prayers, thoughts, love, time and donations are helping so much. Thank you all for everything.

   God bless you, Michael, keep working hard and thank you for understanding what is happening. I love you son,

   Dad

6. Sue, Dave, Meagen & Tristen McD
   March 15th, 2008 at 3:52 pm

   Bobby,

   Our connection to your family is as Aunt and Uncle, and cousins that live far away and are loosely connected. I guess we never let you know how much we love you and that’s just wrong.

   Rae’s strength courage and love have been amazing as she has worked to help Mike re-build his life.

   But we know that at the heart of this family there’s a man of strength and quiet calm that has the character of hard wood… a man that can hold a world of people on strong shoulders.
   Our hearts are solid in the comfort that you and Rae, Nate, Emily and most urgently Mike can feel the calm presence of your amazing smile. All must know that if Bobby is here at Rae’s side they can survive anything and continue to know that life will only get better.

   Be strong Bobby, know that we are so proud of the man you are: a self-made professional, business man, husband, and father. A man, who has been successful and strong, with a strength of character that shows his commitment to those he loves.

   We were not able to get close to Mike in our few visits, but we could see that he was also an amazingly strong and powerful young man: a confident athlete who felt up to any challenge.
   Our connection was stronger with Nate and his amazing musical gifts. Recent events have given Michael a life test that would destroy a man of lesser metal and we can see that his gifts are strength of character and a will to be in control of his destiny.

   So, we feel it’s time to speak up and let you know that this website is a constant connection for us. It has allowed us to share in the positive results you are seeing as a family. And see that you have a core set of connections and love that can hold you together through an experience that would be beyond the limits of most other families.

   All our love to you and everyone through this experience. Stand tall and know that we are so very proud of the man you have become. We are also proud of an amazing couple that helped you become the man you are: Adrea and Robert New, Sr.

   Be strong Bobby.

7. David
   March 21st, 2008 at 1:03 pm

   Michael,

   Day 153! Way to go son, you may not be who you want to be, but you are living strong. I am so proud of the way you have been working to regain the Michael you want to be. Keep it up and never ever quit.

   We have a fun trip this weekend. We are going to the Newseum to check out the building I was working on before I came to Richmond. I hope you like it. Get ready for some fun.

   Looking forward to going to church with you on Sunday. It is Easter this Sunday, the day we celebrate Christ’s resurection. You too have a second chance at life, make sure every moment counts.

   I love you son, God bless you and continue working hard.

   Dad

8. David
   March 26th, 2008 at 5:44 am

   Michael,

   Day 158. Wow what a whirlwind weekend. Taking in the the newest museum in Washington, the Newseum, was fantastic. Seeing the Berlin Wall exhibit brings back many memories of how a represed society can overcome. It also is in part like your struggle to overcome this part of your life. How you manage the days to find the nugget that each day offers. Calling a friend, going to church, walking, swimming. Keep it up Michael, there is a true reward that you have to find. Your mom, Bobby, Mary and I can not give it to you, you have to find it. The journey is full of traps and loneliness but it is worth it.

   I am amazed at how much you have healed in the past month. Like the resurrection of Christ, you with the prayers of many, have resurrected yourself. Through prayer anything is possible. You just have to believe. I am so proud of you. It was a thrill to share our time in Church this past Sunday. I hope you will want to go more. Just let me know and I will be more than happy to take you. Hey we are up at that time, why not make it productive. Gives you a good excuse to get dressed up again, right? Just remeber to dip the bread in the wine before you eat the bread. God bless you son, I love you,

   Dad

9. David
   March 31st, 2008 at 5:24 am

   Michael,

   Day 163. I am so sorry I was unable to be with you this weekend. Mary and I were in Richmond, house hunting. Found a couple of neighborhoods we liked, so it is just a matter of time for getting the house sold.

   I trust you had a good weekend. Did you get to go swimming? I will be home this weekend and we will be poolside. So get ready!

   Did you get to see any of the baskeball games this weekend? All 4 #1’s are in the finals. This is the first time that has happened. Should be a good final 4.

   I hope you want to go back to church. You have a lot of thanks to give and what a better place to say thanks, right?

   Well, I will call you this week, I will talk to you soon. God bless you. I love you son,

   Dad

10. David
    April 16th, 2008 at 5:45 am

    Michael,

    Day 179 of your jouney back to Michael. So far so good, considering how close you were to never again land. God Bless you son and keep believing that you can do it.

    What another fantastic weekend with you. While you, Danny, Shannon and Karl were swimming and racing, I wanted to stand and cheer you guys on so much. It really was like old times seeing you guys race like that. It was funny to see how tired you were on Saturday night. Not as young as you once were. Age does have a way of equalizing things. It also has a way of healing too. Your healing has been and is a true test of time and God’s ability to help those who ask for it. Keep your head up, shoulders square and an eye on the prize. Keep setting goals and you will be able to measure where you are. I can not contain my love for you son, I want to tell everybody how our prayers are being answered, and your appreciation of those who keep you in their thoughts and prayers. Thank you all who have prayed for Michael’s recovery, thank you so very much. The road is long with many a winding turn….

    Thanks for going to church with me. I do appreciate that time together. I hope you enjoyed the breakfast we shared. It was so nice to have so many of the kids, with Rae and Bobby, at the house on Sunday. Thank you all for coming.

    I love you son, keep up the great work, the dividends are worth it. I will call you this week. God Bless,

    Dad

11. David
    April 22nd, 2008 at 5:24 am

    Michael,

    Day 185. Congratulations. You have come so far is just 6 months. I am so proud of you son. You have so much to be thankful for.

    I read here everyday how you have changes somebody’s life. How they do not take for granted the love they receive from family and friends. How thankful they are that you have helped them understand why they are here. While it has only been 6 months, God, your Mother and Bobby have helped you to where you are today. I challenge you that the next 6 months you make it your goal to be twice as strong as you are today. Keep you head held high, your shoulders square and your spirit strong. You will make it back to Michael land, only this time you will have so much to be thankful for, you will not be the same. Don’t waste you time looking for the old Michael. Reinvent yourself.

    You are very fortunate to have the support you do, as are we to have you still in our life. Don’t look at this day as an anniversary but as just another step towards your full recovery. Make yourself useful, teach others how they have to live. The whole world is watching you and all of your progress. LEAD.

    General Shwartzkopf once said that when given the opportunity to lead, LEAD. You have that opportunity now. Show all of us how with a lot of prayers one can overcome anything. ANYTHING!

    God Bless you son, I will see you this weekend. I love you,

    Dad

12. David
    April 30th, 2008 at 5:23 am

    Michael,

    Day 193. Thank you for the great weekend. I am looking forward to this weekend. I will be over to get you around 11 am.

    I would like to take a moment to let all the good folks who stop by this site to check on your progress know how thankful this whole family is of your time. This site was set up so that you could follow Michael through this healing, witness the miracle that prayers produce. Michael has not failed us in that respect. As Michael continues to heal, it has become more difficult to express how he is changing. As seen in his mother’s wonderful slide show, he has come a long way. As we take on the next 6 months, the changes will not be a rapid as they were, but they are just as important to Michael regaining his life. Michael and I discussed how the accident has changed him, how he has so much to be thankful for and how his family and friends keep him wanting to get better. He/ we can not do it without your support. Please keep him in your prayers and thoughts. If you have a few minutes, call him, Michael loves to chat. If you have time on Sundays, join us in church.
    God bless all of you and thank you from all of us.

    Well son, I love you and will see you on Saturday. God Bless you son,

    Dad

13. David
    May 7th, 2008 at 5:30 am

    Michael,

    Day 200!!!!!!

    Very proud of you son. You have come so far so strong. Keep up the work. Thank you for the weekend. As always they are too short, but hanging out with you makes it special for me.

    Nice to see Nathan in church next to you on Sunday. Keep believing and you will find your reward. God has a way of working that no one understands, nor can predict, but believing in the Lord will work miracales. We have witnessed your recovery from the clutches of death. Our prayers and your belief are working.

    I look forward to seeing you this weekend, I will call you tomorrow to shore up the arrangements.

    I love you son, God bless,

    Dad

14. David
    May 22nd, 2008 at 5:08 am

    Michael,

    Day #215. I am very proud of all of your progress. What a great time swimming with you this past Saturday. You did great driving, room for improvement, but for your first time back, it was great. Thank you Stu and Pat for visiting. It really means a lot. Karl, Clay and Shannon were a bit late, but they made it over, thanks fellows. I look forward to this weekend.

    My time in Manassas is growing short. I will miss our weekends together Michael. Thank you for working with me.

    Have you noticed all the new dots on the cluster map? It would be cool if people would write in for the next week as to where they are from and how long they have been visiting the site. It would give you some prespective of how far reaching this journey back is being watched.

    Well, I will see you on Saturday. God bless you son, I love you,

    Dad

15. David
    May 29th, 2008 at 5:14 am

    Michael,

    Day 222. God bless you son, I am impressed. You have come so far but you still have a long way to go to get back to what you want to be. Along the way I hope you remember who you have become, how you have touched so many lives and how you have made so many new friends. All of their prayers are working for you. As my time in Manassas grows short, I cherish all the times we get to spend together. Thank you son for accepting my love for you. It has not always been easy, but it has been real.

    A lot of you may not know this, but Michael has been attending Church every Sunday. He gets all dressed up and enjoys his time at church. He told me once that he had to thank a lot of people, so he asks for the Lord’ blessing on all who have been there for him. I too have been with him at church and know his drive to thank all. God bless all who have helped.

    I look forward to seeing you this Saturday. God bless you Michael, I love you,

    Dad

16. David
    June 6th, 2008 at 5:05 am

    Michael,

    Day 230! Way to go son. I am so proud of your recovery. God bless you and keep up the fight. It is still a long road but you are doing it.

    So good to hear you don’t have to wear the patch any longer. I sure hope the glasses help. Let me know what you think.

    Good to see you post your thoughts again. It is very inspiring when you write. People listen, keep it up.

    I won’t see you this weekend but I will be there on Monday. Let’s do breakfast and spend the day together. Hope your mom doesn’t mind. Emily’s last day at high school. Way to go Emily. Very proud of you too knucklehead.

    I look forward to hanging out on Monday, until then have fun in church , sing loud. God bless you son, I love you,

    Dad

17. Michael G Flores
    June 7th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    I ran across your blog by way of Brian Boyle I hope the 2 of you have been able to meet in some way Sometimes the Lord gives us a 2nd chance in life just as he did Brian Boyle I know that the Lord has a ministry for you of some kind in the future When i watched the video/photos of you I was overcome with emotion during the song Mary Did You Know We have sung that song several times during the Christmas season at Great Hill Baptist Church here in Austin TX (www.ghbc.org) You are a very nice gentleman My thoughts & prayers are with you Michael G Flores Cedar Park TX

18. David
    June 9th, 2008 at 4:56 am

    Michael Flores,

    Thank you for taking your time and reading what’s going on with us. As are most journey’s, this one has been hard on all of us. But like most journey’s there is something for all of us involved to behold, and Michael finding his soul and the Lord have made it worth it for me. God Bless you Michael, and write again.

    David

19. David
    June 19th, 2008 at 5:39 am

    Michael,

    Day 243 and the day after your 26th birthday. I am very proud of your healing and how you are willing yourself to get better. How suprised I was when you told me that you received swim fins as a present and when you told me it again you remembered that you had already told me that. That was as huge for me as you retrieving your socks when your feet were cold. Keep up the hard work. Never stop working.

    To all my children, thank you for the wonderful father’s day. I am so proud of each and every one of you and your choices. Keep it up. Remember to ask for help when you need it, I am there for you.

    Get better Donna, we love you.

    Well son, I hope you had a great workout yesterday with your new fins, I trust the cake tasted sweeter this year, and that your outlook on life is brighter. I love you son and God bless you. Happy birthday!

    Dad

20. David
    June 30th, 2008 at 5:08 am

    Michael,

    Day 254!

    I wish I could say wow today after this weekend but the bombs your mom dropped on the southern half of the family, just won’t allow that to happen. Your progress is outstanding. You really have come a long way, God bless you son. I love you.

    I trust your day in church was fruitful. We have a lot to give thanks for and a lot to ask for of Jesus. As always I prayed for your recovery but asked for a few more names to be added to your list of those who need ministering. Donna, we have not heard from you but pray for your recovery. Jimmy and Danny, we are in your corner, you just let us know what you need and we are there. Matt, I can’t tell you how much you mean to this gang. Everybody is there for you, reach out, don’t hold it in.

    Everybody who comes here is looking for the mircale that we have witnessed of one man’s journey back from his near death experience. Along the way other tradigies have befallen some of our friends who were there for Michael on October 21st. God bless you all, and we will pray for you.

    Dad

21. David
    July 5th, 2008 at 8:33 am

    Michael,

    Day 259. Quickly closing in on a year. Oh what a year it has been. I pray that God continues to show you his way, through his Son Jesus Christ. Keep it up.

    As you continue to heal I hope you are working hard to become a better person, and with that responsibilty comes the requirement that you remember all those who need your love and prayers. Are you prayng for those who are in need? You and you alone can make a diffeence in their lives. You and you alone are responsible for your brothers. Keep Jesus in your life and remember those that need you and Him.

    How was your 4th? I trust you got rained on yesterday. We had a good storm roll through. Left a lot of debris in its path.

    I will be up next weekend to see you. Until then, keep praying and keep remembering why you are here. I love you son, God Bless.

    Dad

22. David
    July 31st, 2008 at 4:52 am

    Michael,

    Day 285 on the road to recovery. It has been a road full of life, pitfalls, trials & tribulations, joy, triumph, and LOVE. God bless you son, please do not stop knowing how much we as a community are watching you overcome this accident. Many people are watching and praying that they can overcome the setbacks in their life as you have done in yours. Most importantly, you need to keep speaking. Right here, let us all know how you are doing, let us share in your victories. You shared a while back that you have stopped drinking and smoking, big big steps. Have you had any urges to do it again? Do you feel better than what you remember? How has your life changed? Are you still involved in church? Don’t let anything disappoint you and your quest for getting back to who you want to be. It is a long road, it is a new life. I love you son,

    God bless,

    Dad

23. David
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    Michael,

    I was returning from Williamsburg this afternoon, traffic slowed down on I-64 because of some thing on the side of the road. There in the tall grass of the summer was a mangled car and a man laying on his side with somebody trying to breath life back into him. My mind immediatly returned to I-66 exit 66 and how you were found that day in October.

    The rescue squad had not arrived yet and in that part of New Kent County, where lives depend on volunteers, only the people trying to keep him alive were there. I was listening to the Shack on disk and about the wonders of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I said a prayer for this man, because his fate is truly in God’s hands.

    I thank God and Jesus everyday for keeping you alive. I pray that this man also gets to see another day, and I thank God that it was not me or one of my loved ones. We go but by the Grace of God.

    I love you son, God Bless,

    Dad

24. David R.
    October 22nd, 2008 at 3:22 am

    Michael,

    Day 367. It was leap year or did all of you forget that too?

    I am so proud of you Michael. I will never forget the ride to Newport News on the 22nd of October. It was the hardest drive I ever had, but went by so quickly. Your entire life to that point had flashed before me. I had conversations with every person I knew whoo had passed away. I asked each and every one to meet you and send you back to us. We would not let you go this time. They sent you back to us, and we have been cherishing each and every minute with you, every day. God bless you son, I love you.

    If there is one thing I hope you have learned from this is just how precious our lives our. How we have to make each minute count, and how we have to give thanks for being here with those who love us. I so thank God and Jesus for this time with you, and hope you do so too.

    I had such a good time on Saturday. So nice to see so many of your buds with you. I hope next year those who could not make it this year will be there. That day should be the 17th of October, so plan on it now. Put it in the book.

    Continue your hard work, I will be up next weekend and we will go swimming, so I will see you then. God bless you son, I love you and miss you very much,

    Dad

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