Standing on a hillside looking out over the Kentucky grasslands, the scene was almost picturesque. The huge white barn with the red tin roof, the farmhouse across the way and the horses grazing in a windblown pasture seemed so serene. Then the line of traffic made it's way down a narrow country road. I remember thinking that I hope someone rides a motorcycle in my funeral march as dude road by on a Harley. We had gathered to pay homage and show overwhelming love for Michael Murphy, age 14, who was taken from us abruptly on October 24, 2003. As people gathered and the service started I cried openly. His bereaved Mother and Father were experiencing an anguish none should ever know. His sister sobbed and she touched my heart in its innermost spot as she wept beside the casket. I am crying now. Huge sobbing tears. The huge mass of people at this gathering had all been touched by this young man's life. There were no dry eyes on that hillside.
Michael was a computer advocate to the 'nth' degree. I never saw this young man that he wasn't smiling and full of curiosity. This was a child that openly gave to others that needed. Truly a young person that deserved every bit of praise sung by others. For example, he once found out a dude needed headphones to game at the local Counterstrike hang out. He knew this person couldn't afford such a thing, so he went home and dug out a set and gave them to him. I heard many stories about his aiding others while in Kentucky. He was a Yahoo IM friend of mine and it was always fun to hear what he was doing with computers.
AMX, a legend in Counterstrike at such a young age. AMX was Michael's nickname when playing the game and he had many many friends across the country due to his participation in Counterstrike Clan challenges. His fellow gamers/friends gathered enmass to pay tribute. Tracy, his sister, had an AMX decal made and it was put on the Black and Silver casket that reflected the color of his computer case mod. Many things showed up in tribute, like the flower arrangement with the keyboard and mouse intergrated with beautiful red blossoms. There was a beautiful cross display from his computer clan. Pictures everywhere reflected his charismatic smile. I was so touched by a small white bear with wings of an angel that had a scarf with AMX on it. Let me tell all of you something. The group of young people that did online game playing with Michael showed up with black armbands that had AMX on them. They passed by the casket and placed their armbands on top and the tears fell like rain. Michael will never leave any of us.
Carol, I have had to stop many times while composing this to wipe away tears. Michael, the thought of this tragedy occuring on your birthday slashes my soul. You both are loving parents. Tracy, cling to great memories and embrace life. I love you all. And, dudes and dude-ettes in the Counterstrike Clan, stay l33t. These young people played a tournament with his computer there in memoriam. So apropo, their symbolic riderless horse.
"It is not length of life, but depth of life."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
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