Journal entry by Angela Burchett —
It’s been two weeks since Mike passed, but I want to remember these days, so I’m making one more post. I’m trying to watch the Husker game (Mike always wanted to see this QB), but I’m having trouble paying attention.
Friday, Sept. 1
Brett came over and we decided to keep Mike in the clothes he slept in because it was so hard on him getting upstairs. We moved the hospital bed away from our bed, opened the shades and brought up chairs so we could sit around him and all day. My girls headed to school. Bri, Brooke and Justin came over about 9 a.m. We put on worship music and hung out. We gave Mike some Coke Zero using one of the swabs from the hospice aide Jaela.
A little after noon I switched the music to Mike’s playlist from his phone. I read him some Bible passages I’d bookmarked in the middle of the night.
He passed so peacefully, with his kids and me there, maybe about 12:25. He was definitely at peace, just sad to leave us. I truly think that he didn’t want to be confined to a bed and didn’t want us to have to care for him. Typical of him to be concerned with everyone else.“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”2 Timothy 4:7-8 NLT“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.”1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT
Melissa our Hospice RN arrived shortly after and took care of everything. We mostly hung out on the porch. It was a strangely beautiful day.
Pastor Bryan Clark had already been planning to visit Mike, so he came to see us, pray with us and brought us books about Life After Death.
I told the girls when they got home from school. Lauren and I stayed home, ordered Noodles and watched Dirty Dancing that night.
Saturday, Sept. 2
Brett and I met with the funeral home, Butherus, Maser and Love. We could not have gotten a more perfect funeral director, Christian Biester. He had done the last service Mike and I went to for Mary Foerster’s mom. He graduated from my girls’ high school, and Lauren knows his younger brother, who we watched in state and national baseball this summer. He helped us with the arrangements and selecting a beautiful blue casket.
That night, Brett, Jensyn, Lauren, Hayden and I went to an Omaha Stormchasers game. It was nice to get out and do something Mike would’ve loved. We took his truck.
Sunday, Sept. 2
Brett and I met with the cemetery, Lincoln Memorial. Cara helped us select his burial location. We both noticed a couple of doves fly into an area. It happened to be one with a marker that reads, “Not my will, but thine.” We made sure the plot was adjacent with trees and easy to find. I learned this day that they bury people facing East because that’s the way Jesus will return. We selected a baseball and a hummingbird on his headstone.
After this meeting, Pastor Bryan Clark met Brett and I at my house. We talked about the service, music, Mike's life, and he gave us great suggestions for speakers, program, slide show, everything. I wanted the 7th for the service, since 7s are so significant to me.
Wednesday, Sept. 6
We had the visitation at the chapel of the funeral home. We were able to play the long slide show with the songs we’d selected so they could be heard. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7io7bydbf6026ytlhj7de/Mike-Burchett_Rolling_Visit_Lunch.mp4?rlkey=m676aos0o4vd8e34qm5i5x25q&dl=0
There were so many people, I have no idea. A steady stream that kept me visiting the entire 3 hours. And I probably missed some.
My parents, sister and her husband, and aunts Sherry and Stacey came. We had a quick dinner at Culver’s, one of Mike’s favorites, before heading to the church to set up the table displays. I’d found memorabilia that was important or symbolic to Mike over the years to display. Then I worked more on what I wanted to read at the service.
Thursday, Sept. 7
I’m 100% biased, but this was the perfect way to remember Mike. He would’ve loved it, other than all the fuss about him.
Christian our funeral director wore a KC Royals shirt!
The music was wonderful, with two of our favorite singers from church. I spoke about his growing up and our time together, Brett spoke on behalf of our five kids, Ed spoke on behalf of him and John and our friends and Michael Cooper spoke about Mike in business and about his faith. Pastor Bryan Clark reminded everyone why Mike had such peace. He had Jesus.
Service video:
Program:
I hugged hundreds of people, ate a quick lunch, and we processed to the cemetery. Another beautiful day. Seeing Mike’s name on the vault made it more real. 😭
My parents, sister and Adam, aunts, the girls, Brett and Jensyn and I had Mexican food at Mike’s favorite, Hacienda Real. I did okay until Brett ordered his exact order. Like father like son.
Friday, Sept. 8
Brett and I each separately stopped by the cemetery to make sure everything looked good. Great minds and all. That afternoon we had a big Celebration of Life at Cappy’s, our favorite local restaurant and bar. Cappy went to high school with Mike and made an awesome banner that is now hanging in our garage. He also ordered Shiner Bock bottles and iced them down behind the bar in honor of Mike.
It was packed. We took over the whole place. I know I didn’t see everyone. I couldn’t even get to the bathroom. Everyone loved Mike. We feel so loved and supported by so many. It was awesome. My sister cut out the big portrait of Mike so he could hang out there with us, too. He would’ve laughed at that.
I’m so thankful to everyone who’s followed our story, prayed for Mike and our family, supported us financially and emotionally and loved on us through this time. I’m so blessed to have loved and been loved by Mike, and though it is not enough, I will treasure our 11+ years together forever.
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