In Case you Missed It....

Happy Friday everyone! Carrie here-
Wednesday night was amazing! There were roughly 300 people in attendance in WWHS auditorium. The handbells were heavenly, the high school choir PERFECT as always, and the stories shared evoked wonderful emotions of the man we all miss so much. Thanks to everyone who helped out with this. Dave Bell, Andy Anderson, Keena and Cindy Stricker, Jenny Cauhorn, for leading the program with your gifts. Larry and Carmella Specker, Jenny C., Bob Hartigan, Emily Isaacs, Kim Ohlweiler, Linnea and Clio, Paul Krause, and all who shared wonderful stories of his life that night. Thanks to Carol Miller for setting up the beautiful flower arrangement, and to WWHS for allowing us to do this in one of his favorite places. A wonderful night for all!

If you missed it and would like to watch the entire ceremony, go to www.waycross.org and on the side choose Schedule. You can search by Title and click "Mike Marcou-A Celebration of Life" for a listing of the shows. If you live in the Waycross TV area, you can catch it on the channels listed. If you are outside the viewing area, you may also download the show OR order a DVD version for $17.99 (including shipping, I believe).

Mike, I wish you could have been there. Lots of folks asked about our "other brother". :0) We will get you a DVD, PROMISE! Again thanks to everyone who enjoyed this night with us. What an amazing way to honor him!

I know for a fact that Dad was there watching and smiling from ear to ear....even if we didn't have food.

Carrie here again-

TONIGHT WE CELEBRATE HIS LIFE! We had a great time celebrating this past weekend. We ate, we drank (pop) and we just had a good time. Laura is now home and an alumnus of Franklin College. I have one trip to Kinkos to bind my paper and turn it in. Things are going well. Laura will be looking for a job....I GOT ONE at Winton Woods Elementary School, finally! 4th grade special education. I am excited and nervous. But more excited.

So tonight, we will do more celebrating. 7pm in the Auditorium of Winton Woods High School, the stage that he loved to be on. He built sets for plays, he watched his daughters perform and sing up there, he loved this building. Join us tonight: the choir will sing, the bells will play, and many many stories will be shared. There will be a video presentation that will knock your socks off! Hope to see everyone there. Come and CELEBRATE!

COUNTING DOWN!!!!

That is the theme of the week.

Carrie here-

Five days left... This Saturday May 19th,2007 will be a day of finality. Both of us Marcou girls will be graduating from school. I already had my turn on that stage in cap and gown, so this weekend the family will be in Indiana to celebrate Laura. Part of me will be at the Xavier University Cintas Center in spirit though.

I asked Dad if he would float between our ceremonies to REALLY be there "in spirit". Sorry, bad joke. Dad would be proud!

Laura will be graduating from Franklin College of Indiana (GO GRIZZLIES!) with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. She got the highest grade in the department on her Comps tests. I am so proud of her! Having gone through this, I know what she must be feeling this week: panic to be finishing final projects and tie up loose ends, sadness to be wrapping up this part of your life and saying goodbye, excitement to put on the cap and gown and have your name called, and questions like "How am I going to fit all this STUFF in my car?" Lot's of emotions.

And yes, I am going to brag a little. I am proud of myself too. All that stands between me and my Masters of Education in Special Ed. is my Research paper. I will be turning it in this week. Part of me wanted to postpone its completion because of what's happened the last few weeks. But many close family and friends convinced me that I should finish....for him. He would have wanted me to. So that's what I will do.

So lets talk about feelings. I have felt over the last few days that sense of slight guilt over this weekend's celebrations. How can we celebrate when there is going to be an empty seat. Why should we be happy when there will be someone missing? We will all surely feel a void in our hearts during this joyous time. This will be our first major event without him.

But guess what? He loved parties, he loved to celebrate, and he would have wanted the party to go on. That's why there were over 500 people present to celebrate his life. That's why I know there will be a great turnout next week for his CELEBRATION of LIFE (are we noticing a theme?) That's why we'll all eat a little more in his honor. Not that we need to, though.

We know he will be there to celebrate with us.

Just doesn't seem possible

(thanks Momma Tomte for the picture)

Feels like it was yesterday....but it was seven yesterdays. One week since we lost him. The sense of missing him is really starting to set in with me, as I would assume it is for the rest of the family. Songs on the radio start the floodgates. People I see remind me of him. I know I didn't think it would be this wierd. WIERD is the only word I am able to think of right now...(fitting for such a wierd guy :0) When does that feeling go away? Maybe never...people say it gets better though. We'll see how the next seven tomorrows go.

A weekend of triumph

Hello friends and family! Carrie here($). We just wanted to say thank you for everything you all have done for our family in these last few days. Friday evening brought the annual Relay for Life at Colerain High School. I had signed up our team, Cou's Commandos, two weeks ago and had hopes that Dad would be able to experience it...maybe in his wheelchair even! Thursday came around and his passing caused doubts about whether we would still be able to participate. But someone close to us said "Why wouldn't you do it? Your dad would want you to!" So we walked. And walked. We even walked a lap backwards. All the money went to the American Cancer Society, and our team raised over $2,000 in ONE WEEK! We are so proud of the students from Winton Woods High School who participated and helped to fundraise. We appreciate all our church family (LISA AND JOSH and baby for her first time camping, AND KAITLIN!!!) who walked, and our friends who stuck with it the whole night. The biggest triumph was the feeling of exhaustion at the end being pushed aside by my name being called for the TOP ONLINE DONATIONS IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME. First place with $1,445! That is thanks to all of you who clicked that link and gave of your hearts and your financial gifts to support this cause. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The whole Marcou family thanks you.

Biggest triumph was seeing all the loving faces at Dad's funeral. It was a triumph because I don't think we all realized just how many people he has come to know in his life. Today our family saw people we haven't seen in years, and people we see every day...ALL close to his heart. It was overwhelming in such a positive way. Absolutely perfect! And just as Dad would have it, the sun was shining, the temperature was cool, and there was GREAT FOOD! Thom, our pastor, gave a beautiful eulogy with plenty of humor...again, just how he would like it. He captured Dad's character and love of life, comforting all of us in this time of sadness. We now have a few weeks to prepare for our Celebration of Life at Winton Woods High School. Join us on Wednesday, May 23rd at 7:00pm in WWHS auditorium to share in our joyful tribute to his life. Again, we all thank you for your prayers and thoughts over the last few days. You are all loved, God Bless and Stay tuned...

The Journey Ends...Or Begins

May 3rd, 2007 at 12:50pm, Mike's walk ended. Jesus carried him the rest of the way. One set of footprints. He was surrounded by his family and peacefully slipped into the arms of our loving God. Throughout his incredible life he touched so many people, and he will continue to do so from above.

A funeral service will be held this Sunday afternoon at 12pm at Greenhills Community Church. The address is 21 Cromwell Rd. at the intersection with Winton Road. There will be a reception/luncheon following the service. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in a few weeks. More details about this event will be posted here on the blog. If you would like to make donations in his honor, please make them to American Cancer Society, Winton Woods Educational Foundation, or any other charity you feel that our dad would have supported.

Our family wants to thank each and every one of you who sent prayers, cards, food, loving letters and encouragement througout this battle with the Beast. We know that without God and friends, he would not have been able to fight as he did. We do not think that he lost this battle. We like to think he got promoted to "Heaven's official event planner".

I saw you in my dream

We were walking hand in hand

On the white sandy beach of Hawaii

We were playing in the sun

We were having so much fun

On the white sandy beach of Hawaii

The sound of the ocean sooths my restless soul

The sound of the ocean rocks me all night long

Those hot, long summer days

Laying there in the sun

On the white sandy beach of Hawaii

The sound of the ocean sooths my restless soul

The sound of the ocean rocks me all night long

Oh last night in my dream

I saw your face again

We were there in the sun

On the white sandy beach of Hawaii

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

White Sandy Beach of Hawaii

They say it's your birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA! Today is Mom's birthday. She's 29...again. It was a bittersweet birthday but we were able to enjoy some delicious ribs from Rib City Grill (new in the Jungle Jim's strip) and pie with Greater's ice cream. She got many cards sent from loved ones, and enjoyed some beautiful smelling flowers sent from the Beechwoods Crew. We even continued a tradition spanning many years which was singing "Happy Birthday" along with an antique music box. We've all had it for every birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMMACOU!

This past Sunday was the Closing Orientation for the EF exchange students and their host families. Mom took the kids down in the basement and discussed all the hard things about their time here ending soon. There were tears that fell for leaving and for PappaCou. There was also a lot of EATING! What else happens in the Marcou house? Isn't this a great group of kids? They have had some wonderful times here and they shared many of their favorite moments at the meeting. They will be missed very much. They all have a very special place in PappaCou's heart! If you see any of our students around in school or out and about, make sure you say hello to them before they leave in June.

This great picture was only taken Sunday April 22nd, out in the back yard. ONE WEEK ago he was his old self, relaxing in the hammock in the back. Times can change so fast.

Today for Dad was the same as the last three days. He is resting most of the day and is really unable to hold conversations. Mom has done a wonderful and loving job taking care of him and making him comfortable. Sometimes he gets frustrated and a little angry, but I know that he would tell her how much he appreciates her if he could. We have been blessed by so many who care for our family, and want all the prayers to continue. He isn't feeling much pain and we all think that God is trying to make this easier for him. In looking for a way to describe this time to young grandchildren who ask about Grandpa, the best analogy is that Grandpa is resting up well for his journey to visit God. We know we are all on a path, but witnessing his journey is hard for us all. But Dad is smart. He knew that his path would have bumps and turns and twists and hills. He knew that he would need help and guidance. With the family all together, and all the wonderful visitors he's had, each person is helping him to keep straight on the path.

This Friday is our race. Thanks to all the people who love my dad so much, we beat our $1,000 goal in only five days. It is astonishing how much you all care about supporting such a wonderful cause. Thank you Thank you, from the Marcou's and the American Cancer Society.

We will keep posting to update as things change.

"You are all loved. God Bless"