Music Added / Mum (Mother) I've added some music: It's not exactly what I wanted for Michael, however it will be okay for now as I don't know how to properly fix things on this site just yet. It is a labour of Love I gladly work on.
Love You Michael: Best Boy in the Whole Universe, No Matter What Close
I am so sorry... / Lindsay (passing By)
I was passing by and came accross your wonderful sons picture twice and stopped and read. I lost my brother in a car accident 9/5/2005. He was 16 (born the same year as your son!!!). I hope you are beginning to find peace in a very difficult time! I still can't believe how we could live a day without our Cam and it has been 2 1/2 years!!! But you do and it hurts as much, but you find peace. Whatever helps you! Our true condolences!!! Close
Deepest sympathy / Terri~Mom To Angel Brent Bowden (connected by angels )Read >>
Deepest sympathy / Terri~Mom To Angel Brent Bowden (connected by angels )
I am so sorry for your loss of your son Michael. I lost my son Brent on 1-23-08 from an accidental prescription drug overdose. I know your deep seeded heartache only too well. I am not sure how I am making it through this but somehow I am still breathing and able to get from one minute to the next.
If only these boys would have known how the drugs would destroy their lives and ultimely take their lives in the end. Such a waste and so heartbreaking for us left to pick up the pieces from now on. My life will never be the same without my precious son in it. I'm sure you feel the same. You must still be numb from shock.
Please feel free to e-mail me if you need to vent to someone. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Annie's Song: John Denver / Roxanne Beetham (Mum) This song holds a special place in my heart and although John Denver penned it for his wife the words still ring true from a Mother's heart to her dear son. This song was played at Mike's funeral.
John Denver - Annie's Song You fill up my senses like a night in the forest like the mountains in springtime, like a walk in the rain like a storm in the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean you fill up my senses, come fill me again. Come let me love you, let me give my life to you let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms let me lay down beside you, let me always be with you come let me love you, come love me again. (instrumental)
You fill up my senses like a night in the forest like the mountains in springtime, like a walk in the rain like a storm in the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean you fill up my senses, come fill me again.
Dear Mike Poem / Roxanne Beetham (Mum)
This Poem was adapted for Michael for his funeral.
Dear Mike
We'll always remember that special smile, that caring, compassionate heart, that warm embrace, you always gave us. You being there for all of us, through good and bad times, no matter what.
We'll always remember you Mike, Because there will never be another person like you to replace in our hearts, And the love we will always have for you.
Mike, we'll always remember that special smile, that caring, compassionate heart, that warm embrace, you always gave us. You being there for all of us, through good and bad times, no matter what!
We'll always remember you Mike because there will never be another one of you to replace in our hearts, and the love we will always have for you.
Michael's Eulogy with Eternal Love from his Family / Roxanne Beetham (Mum)
This Eulogy took me & my best friend Gill Greenwood about 2 days to write. We had many stops and starts and copious tears. I would gratefully like to thank her for all her wonderful help as well as her husband Gary (who helped Trev, Mike's Dad say the words we wrote). I may have written it, but I could only stand on the day.
To Our Dearest Son with Eternal Love MICHAEL JAMES CHARLES BEETHAM ALSO KNOWN AS MICKEY JIMMY CHARLIE BEETLEBOP, MICKEY MOUSE, BEETLE, MIKEY. MIKE AND MICK. HE WAS A SPECIAL BABY BROTHER TO HIS SISTER LISA AND BROTHER TONY. THEY MAY HAVE HAD THEIR UP’S AND DOWNS, BUT WE KNOW DEEP DOWN OF THEIR ENORMOUS AFFECTION FOR ONE ANOTHER. MIKE WAS BORN THE 26TH APRIL 1989 DUE TO BE AN ANZAC DAY BABY BUT TYPICAL MIKE TURNED UP LATE. TAKEN FROM US WELL BEFORE HIS TIME MONDAY THE 4TH FEBRUARY 2008 I AM REMINDED OF THE SONG BY REDGUM “HE WAS ONLY 19” BUT ALL OF THIS WEEK I KEEP THINKING, “HE WAS ONLY 18.”
HE PACKED MORE INTO HIS SHORT 18 YEARS THAN MANY PEOPLE DID IN A LIFETIME. I KNOW HE WOULD NEVER HAVE WANTED TO CAUSE THIS PAIN IN OUR LIVES, HOWEVER THE COMBINATION OF ADHD AND A LACK OF FORETHOUGHT LED HIM TO WHERE HE IS TODAY. IN THE PAST 6 – 8 MONTHS OUR SON STRUGGLED WITH HIS ADDICTION AND SADLY IT WAS ONE HE WAS UNABLE TO OVERCOME. PLEASE DO NOT THINK OF HIM THE WAY HE WAS RECENTLY, GRIEVE HIM IF YOU MUST, BUT TRY TO REMEMBER THE BEST OF HIM, THE FUN LOVING CAREFREE COMPASSIONATE CHAMPION TO ALL.
MIKE HAD MANY PASSIONS IN HIS LIFE, ROLLER BLADING, SKATEBOARDING, PUSH BIKE RIDING, MOTORCROSS AND MOTORBIKES, KARTS, HOCKEY, WU SHU KUNG FOO, MUSIC, DANCING, MOVIES AND OF COURSE PARTIES.
BACK IN THE YEAR 1997 HE AND HIS COUSIN JAMES DECIDED THAT THEY WANTED TO PLAY HOCKEY, THEY SAW AN AD IN THE PAPER AND THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING ALONG TO ICE HOCKEY (JUST LIKE THE MIGHTY DUCKS) BUT WERE SORELY DISSAPOINTED WHEN THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS FIELD HOCKEY. ALTHOUGH MICHAEL WAS THE SHORTEST IN HIS TEAM, HE DECIDED THAT HE WANTED TO BE A GOAL KEEPER. HE WAS GIVEN A GO AND THAT IS WHERE HE STAYED. HIS COACH AT THE TIME DAVE MILLS HAD A PROBLEM AS HE HAD 4 MICHAELS IN THE TEAM SO EVERYONE GOT A NICKNAME, THIS IS WHERE “BEETLE” CAME FROM AND IT STUCK EVER SINCE. MANY PEOPLE LAUGHED AT THE LITTLE GOALIE BUT HE HAD THE HEART OF A LION AND WAS THE MOST FEARLESS KEEPER ANYONE KNEW.
THROUGH HIS MANY PASSIONS AND THROUGH SCHOOL HE MADE MANY MANY SPECIAL FRIENDS. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE TIME TO NAME JUST A FEW, PLEASE DO NOT BE SAD IF YOUR NAME IS NOT READ, REMEMBER IF I SAID THEM ALL WE WOULD BE HERE ALL DAY.
A SPECIAL FRIEND SINCE YEAR 3 – ANDREW CARTER AND ALL OF HIS ASSOCIATED FRIENDS. ALSO NORRIE, GLEN AND ALL OF THE BETHANIA BOYS. AND MICHAEL HAD A SOFT SPOT FOR D BECAUSE HE FELT HE WAS A KINDRED SPIRIT. HE HAD A VERY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS COUSIN MATTY ROLFE AND WE BELIEVED AT TIMES THAT THEY WERE SURELY JOINED AT THE HIP. IN HIS YOUNGER YEARS AIDEN, MATTHEW AND JAMES GREENWOOD WERE ALSO HIS CONSTANT COMPANIONS HIS LOVE OF HIS ENTIRE FAMILY INCLUDING EXTENDED FAMILY WAS VERY WELL KNOWN.
ANYONE THAT KNEW MICHAEL, COMMENTED ON HIS ABLITY TO SHOVEL FOOD INTO HIS MOUTH LIKE EVERY MEAL WAS HIS LAST. MIKEY ATE EARLY (STARTED ON SOLID FOOD AT 4 WEEKS) NO SURPRISE THERE AND HE ALSO TALKED EARLY AND OFTEN, HIS FAVOURITE WORD WAS “NO”. MOST OF YOU WON’T KNOW THIS HOWEVER FROM DAY ONE “HE WAS MY SUNSHINE” HIS MUM SANG HIM THE SONG “YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE” FOR MANY A YEAR EVERY NIGHT, HE WOULD BE VERY EMBARRASSED THAT I AM TELLING YOU THIS BUT IT HELPED TO CALM HIM DOWN.
MICHAEL NEVER DID CARE FOR WORLDLY GOODS AND CLEANLINESS WAS NEVER BIG ON HIS AGENDA. WE SENT HIM OFF TO TALLEBUDGERA CAMP IN YEAR 7 WITH A SUITCASE FULL OF CLEAN CLOTHES AND IT CAME BACK EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, HIS HAIR FELT LIKE WOOL AND THE ONLY WATER THAT TOUCHED HIM WAS FROM THE SURF. WHEN SENT IN FOR A SHOWER HE WENT IN FOR A SOCIAL CHAT.
MICHAEL IDENTIFEID HIMSELF AS A CHRISTIAN, HOWEVER HE ALSO BELIEVED IN REINCARNATION AND HIS LOVE OF CHINESE WU SHU LED HIM INTO THE AREA OF BUDDHISM. HE FELT THE MOST AT PEACE WHEN WE VISITED THE CHINESE BUDDHIST TEMPLE AT ROCHEDALE SOUTH.
BUDDHISM TEACHES US TO NEVER JUDGE OR CONDEMN ANOTHER HUMAN BEING OR ANIMAL, TO ALWAYS BE KIND AND GENTLE AND TO BE ACCEPTING OF ALL.
HE ALWAYS SAID WE ARE THE BEST PARENTS HE COULD EVER HAVE HAD, AND HE FELT BLESSED TO BE BORN INTO OUR FAMILY. HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WE EVER DID THAT COULD HAVE CHANGED WHO HE WAS AND HOW HE LIVED HIS LIFE, IT WAS INSIDE HIM. MICHAEL LOVED TO GIVE AND RECEIVE HUGS AND IF YOU EVER GOT A SPECIAL MICHAEL HUG YOU WILL KNOW WHAT WE MEAN. I ALWAYS TOLD HIM HIS HUGS HELPED TO HEAL ME AND I BELIEVE THEY DID, I JUST WISH HE WAS HERE IN PERSON TO GIVE US ONE TODAY.
FOR SOME STRANGE REASON MICHAEL THOUGHT HE WAS DUMB AND UGLY AND ALTHOUGH AS PARENTS WE ARE BIASED WE THINK HE COULDN’T HAVE BEEN FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
MICHAEL WAS NOT THE PERFECT CHILD BUT HE WAS PERFECT FOR US.
OUR LIVES STOPPED ON THE DAY HE DIED AND WE STILL CAN’T UNDERSTAND HOW LIFE CAN GO ON WHEN OUR SPECIAL BOY IS NO LONGER HERE. WE HAVE ALL HEARD THE SAYING “LIFE ISN’T FAIR” BUT I NEVER KNEW UNTIL LAST MONDAY HOW UNFAIR IT WAS OR CAN BE. THE VOID LEFT BY HIS SUDDEN DEPARTURE WILL LEAVE A HOLE IN MANY PEOPLES HEARTS. OVER TIME THIS MAY HEAL BUT FOR US IT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. OUR SWEET PERFECT SOUL WILL FOREVER BE IN OUR HEARTS. OUR LOSS IS HEAVENS GAIN.
WE LOVE YOU BUDDY AND WE WILL ALL BE TOGETHER AGAIN ONE DAY TO SHARE OUR SPECIAL HUGS MISS YOU ALWAYS.
YOUR VERY LOVING FAMILY MUM, DAD, TONY, LISA & ALL THE ANIMALS.
Eulogy from Norrie & Bethania Boys DM! / Scott Norris &. Matt Rolfe (Scott (friend) Matt Cousin & Friend )Read >>
Eulogy from Norrie & Bethania Boys DM! / Scott Norris &. Matt Rolfe (Scott (friend) Matt Cousin & Friend )
This touching eulogy was penned by Scott Norris (Norrie). Matthew (Mikes closest cousin & best friend) kindly stepped in to help when Norrie couldn't go on. Thank You Matty.
BEETLE
BEETLE WAS ONE OF THE KINDEST PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET IN MY LIFE. HE HAD A HEART OF GREEN AND GOLD HE LOVED LIFE, HE WAS ONE OF A KIND, HE WAS A LEADER, A LOVER AND A FIGHTER. HE TAUGHT ME THAT LIFE IS SHORT SO LOVE IT, HE WAS HERE FOR A GOOD TIME NOT A LONG TIME. I KNOW THAT HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS LOVED HIM ESPECIALLY THE BETHANIA BOYS DM. BEETLE WAS ALWAYS TRUE AND LOYAL TO HIS MATES . HE ALWAYS BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN A PERSON. HE COULD MAKE A WHOLE ROOM LIGHT UP AS SOON AS HE ENTERED IT, HE NEVER BAD MOUTHED ANYONE. AT TIMES WE ALL HAD OUR DIFFERENCES BUT NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION WE ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR OUR GOOD MATE BEETLE. HE WILL BE LOVED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN AND ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS. Close
Eulogy from James & Matthew Greenwood / Matt &. James Greenwood (Cousins & Friends )Read >>
Eulogy from James & Matthew Greenwood / Matt &. James Greenwood (Cousins & Friends )
This Eulogy was written from the heart by Matt Greenwood who kindly shared this beautiful speech at Michael's funeral with his brother James. James was away racing when Michael passed away, however he was home for his funeral.
OUR OTHER BROTHER
ME, MICHAEL AND JAMES FRIENDS AND BROTHERS FROM BIRTH MATCHBOX CARS, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES AND THE MIGHTY DUCKS, RIDING OUR PUSHBIKES AND PRETENDING WE WERE MOTORCROSS RIDERS. SHARING OUR BIRTHDAYS AND OUR SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHERS AND MAKING OURSELVES SICK ON EASTER EGGS. PLAYING HOCKEY WITH THE MOST FEARLESS GOALIE IN LOGAN. RACING GO KARTS AND HITTING EVERYTHING BUT THE LEAD. ROAD TRIPS WITH DAD AND UNCLE TREVOR, SINGING ALL OF THEIR DAGGY SONGS. PARTYING WITH THE GO KART BOYS AFTER SPEEDWAY MEETINGS. DRIVING ALL OF THE TEACHERS AROUND THE BEND AT SCHOOL, WHICH WAS A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME AS FAR AS WE WERE CONCERNED. CRYING TOGETHER WHEN OUR DOGS DIED AND LAUGHING AT OUR MUMS WHEN THEY SANG ABBA SONGS. WE WERE ALL SUPPOSED TOI GROW OLD TOGETHER AND MAKE OUR KIDS SING OUR DAGGY SONGS. BEETLE OUR FRIEND AND OUR BROTHER WE LOVE YOU AND WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU. Close
Eulogy from Carter / Andrew Supply (Friend)Read >>
Eulogy from Carter / Andrew Supply (Friend)
This Eulogy was read at Michael's funeral by his wonderful friend Andrew.
MICHAEL
BEETLE THE NAME MANY OF US KNEW HIM BY HAS BEEN MY BEST FRIEND SINCE GRADE 3. I STILL REMEMBER THE DAY WE MET LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. WE WERE CATCHING BLUE TONGUE LIZARDS AND BEARDED DRAGONS IN THE SCHOOL BUSHLAND. WE WERE ALWAYS TOGETHER THROUGH PRIMARY SCHOOL AND EVEN THOUGH WE DRIFTED APART FOR A YEAR BECAUSE I GOT PUT UP A GRADE. I KNEW IT WOULDN’T BE LONG AND ONCE HE GOT TO HIGH SCHOOL WE BEGAN TO SEE EACH OTHER MORE AND MORE. I REMEMBER WHEN WE USED TO TRY AND HIDE SMOKING CIGARETTES FROM MY MUM. I’LL NEVER FORGET THE THING YOU DID FOR ME, THE WAY YOU MADE ME FEEL AROUND YOU. YOU GAVE ME THE ONE THING I WANTED THE MOST IN LIFE WHEN YOU INTRODUCED ME TO YOUR COUSIN JESSICA. AND I WISH YOU WERE STILL HERE TO SEE THE BABY WHEN IT IS BORN.
THANK YOU MIKE FOR LETTING ME BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE.
My deepest condolences. May these few words from the Holy Scriptures give you comfort...
John 11:32-45
32 And so Mary, when she arrived where Jesus was and caught sight of him, fell at his feet, saying to him: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping and the Jews that came with her weeping, groaned in the spirit and became troubled; 34 and he said: “Where have YOU laid him?” They said to him: “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus gave way to tears. 36 Therefore the Jews began to say: “See, what affection he used to have for him!” 37 But some of them said: “Was not this [man] that opened the eyes of the blind man able to prevent this one from dying?”
38 Hence Jesus, after groaning again within himself, came to the memorial tomb. It was, in fact, a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said: “TAKE the stone away.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to him: “Lord, by now he must smell, for it is four days.” 40 Jesus said to her: “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Therefore they took the stone away. Now Jesus raised his eyes heavenward and said: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 True, I knew that you always hear me; but on account of the crowd standing around I spoke, in order that they might believe that you sent me forth.” 43 And when he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: “Laz´a·rus, come on out!” 44 The [man] that had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his countenance was bound about with a cloth. Jesus said to them: “Loose him and let him go.”
45 Therefore many of the Jews that had come to Mary and that beheld what he did put faith in him;
If you would like more information regarding this passage please go to the link below...
Poem: "No Rainbows Here" / Roxanne Beetham (Mother) No Rainbows Here
Gone are the days when life was simple and pure, The flowers have all faded to black against the landscape of my heart, Wailing walls are built in my mind, The counting continues ever downward, like the spirals of time, Grey colours my every waking move, no rainbows here.
Nothing matters anymore eating, sleeping, drinking, That is for others, who have not been touched, By the Dark Angel of Death.
My life and our lives will never be the same, Some days I want to die, and I always cry, Day after day, after day, It will never cease, never ending relentless pain.
Who knew a person could endure so much emotional suffering? Without flooding out the house and grounds or even the town? I don’t understand why everyone goes about their business, When my life ended the day you died!
I will never be whole again; I will never be the same, For the day you left this earth you shattered my heart, It will never be mended or repaired; a large black hole lives there, Grey colours my every waking move, no rainbows here.
Written by Roxanne Beetham For Mike 26/04/1989 – 04/02/2008 (18yrs) Close
My Son / Roxanne Beetham (Mother)
I so miss you my son, it's only been 3months but to me it feels like a lifetime. You were the most loving son a Mother could ever have. I am trying to go on for you, but it's very, very hard
You were the most kind-hearted empathetic person I ever knew. You had the heart and soul of a lion. You were always the champion of the underdog and stuck by your family and friends come what may. I so wish I could say you are and not you were. At times it's still hard to believe you aren't going to come walking in the door wondering what all the fuss is about. I'm so sorry I couldn't help you more, I would have laid down my life for you.
Eternal Love My Sunshine Mum xxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxo Close
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