Tribute to Michael.
“Every second counts”, “enjoy the present moment”, “bite into life”, “tell the people around you that you love them while they are still there”: sayings that we’ve heard since our childhood, usually uttered by people older than us; we call them “the old uncles and aunties”. Until now, I have always been horrified by these sayings, even if, admittedly, they are all quite true and heavy with meaning. If you look around you now, we can say that this is the very first time and the very last time that we are together in the same space at the same time - and we owe this to Michael. It is fitting that we start the clock to make every second really count and that I tell you how much you made Michael happy, each in your own way, and how honoured I am to have you all in my life, because mine (my life) must continue despite the immense void left by his premature and unexpected departure.
Thank you very much for being here today, on Michael's birthday, to celebrate his life and share all the good memories we all hold in our hearts.
Chéri, Mon Amour, mon Bel Amour, mon Ange, mon Trésor d’amour, mon Gros Bébé d’amour :
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Michael O’Brien-Milosevic,
It's the name you held so dear to honour the memory of your mother (Ruth Mary O'Brien) and that of your father (Michael Ili Milenko Milosevic). You left us too soon – we should be celebrating your 55th birthday today. This does not make any sense!
You left taking with you so many mysteries and questions that will remain unanswered for eternity, that you can now be granted the title of "mystical legend". Everyone who knew you is unanimous: you jealously guarded the memories of your family life and your childhood. With me, During the ten years that we had shared together, you opened up on only a few rare occasions, but not enough for me to be able to have a clear and precise timeline of the different stages of your life before we first met.
Regarding the drama in your family that you experienced and which took away all the members of your family, it is impossible for me to put all the pieces together as my brain cannot measure the extent of the pain that you must have experienced. And yet, when we know how much you embraced life and with what “joie de vivre” you pursued happiness in your own life and that of others, we can only tip our hats to you — and raise our glasses in your honour — in light of so much resilience and inner strength.
I have understood one important thing, however, and that is that your frequent moves around the world in your youth gave birth to the desire to form a solid, sedentary family nest: with me, and, later, with our dearest love Winston. A SOLID family nest. You quickly made me understand, through all your daily gestures of love, how important this “family nest” was for you. I never felt like this in my life before knowing you. I suddenly became "the most important person" in your life and you really did everything to prove it to me at every moment. I feel so honoured to have been that person in your life. I feel so privileged to have been able to share YOUR LIFE (LIFE, with you) — however brief it was by your side. Everything was perfect in our life together and we loved each other "as is". We loved each other without wanting to change anything.
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My darling love, you were crazy! Mad with love when I said "I love you", mad with desire when I kissed you, mad with laughter when I said silly things to you, mad as a hatter when you were mistaken for the chef Brouncke Brounchke, mad with worry when I didn't answer your text messages within a minute, overjoyed when I returned from work. You were crazy as hell! in TA*%$!. I can tell you that I was also crazy ____ ABOUT YOU! We weren't crazy about cleaning, however, we were happy when it was done, but we would have liked someone else to do it for us ;-)
The very first time we met it was love at first sight. Michael liked to tell his version of the facts about how we met, but if we were to add another saying to the list, it would be that there are always two sides to a coin. I also have my version of this first meeting, which differs a little from his and which gives me back some of my luster… (I will keep these details for close friends) .
So it was a few months after this first encounter that I saw Michael again, at the same place, on December 21, just before Christmas. That's when our wonderful adventure began. WONDERFUL, there are no other words to describe it; IMMORTAL. A wonderful adventure, filled with daily happiness and abundant love.
Michael liked to tell the story of his first morning at my place, after our first night together. He always said he felt like Alice in Wonderland hearing my three birds sing while I serenaded him on the flute.
My chéri d’amour, you knew how to create the magical moments in our life, all these moments which will remain engraved in my memory and, above all, in my heart forever: that is IMMORTAL. And it's wonderful. You gave me the best of yourself every moment, every second that we spent together during these few years. You have proven to me through all your gestures how much you love me. You said "I love you" to me every day — several times a day — without ever skipping a day. You gave me a "bon appétit" kiss at each meal we shared together, again, without ever forgetting a single one. Never forgetting our "good night" kiss, which, since the arrival of our little doggie, always began with: "Good night Winston", Good night Winston", "Good night darling", "Good night darling".
To tell you how much I miss all these little gestures, these little touches, how much I miss YOU today, I truly, can't find the words. I don't wish to find them either: I want to focus on the beautiful days spent by your side, the memories — no need to specify "the good memories" since there are no bad ones, or less good ones. I will do my best to continue my journey with the best of you in my heart and soul; the sweetest and most comforting of treasures, again, and forever: THE LOVE IN YOUR EYES.
Rest in peace my dear (mon Chéri), I love you endlessly.