I’ll Always Have Google, I Guess.

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There have been so many feelings lately. My go-to, how-to, how do I guy is no longer here to answer questions or just be there to do things I’ve never done before. Or to show me how to do those things.

Growing up I always had a fear of lawnmowers. Well the time came a few years back  when I had asked my brother to come show me how to use my new lawnmower.

Away he went, around the yard, over and over. When there was just a small patch left he turned to me and asked “wanna try?” I said, no, I’m still scared. So gladly he finished it. That was one of my favorite days with him. He never complained about the work anytime throughout the process.

I guess I’ll always have Google to tell me how to do something, or YouTube to show me. But nothing will come close to the brotherly love I’ve been used to my whole life.

I miss you so much, Michael. We all do.

Memories are all we’ll ever have

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This past weekend we moved my brothers family into their new home. It’s the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. It was truly wonderful to see all the help from his friends. The original crew mostly. Fort McMurray old school came to help out. It’s amazing to see how many people he touched that are here for our family.

It was an empty feeling standing in his bedroom where he had his heart attack. Such a sad feeling. I often wonder if he knew what was happening that morning. Did he feel it coming on? Was he scared? Or did it happen so fast his body was unaware? I have so many questions that will go unanswered.

I just hope he knows the amount of love and prayers that surrounded him in his final days. At times, I would have guessed there were close to 50 people in the hospital waiting area. Out pouring of such strong love. From miles away. Old friends, new friends.

Michael’s Remember Me Table at his service. April 13,2019

At his memorial service we had close to 300 signatures in his guest book. It was a very overwhelming day. However sad it was, it was filled with so much joy and love for one person. I don’t think my mum realized just how special he was to so many people. I know I had to take a second to take it all in before my speech. As short as it was, it felt like forever, I think because it was the largest crowd I had ever spoken in front of. I also knew if I went into too much detail about Michael it would have been extremely hard to make it through the whole thing.

Most endings are usually followed by a new beginning. In this case we hope it is a happy beginning.

I miss you, Michael. We all do.

Is Anyone Ever Ready To Become The Only Child?

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Michael on his 40th birthday

Another question I’ll never know the answer to. I never imagined my brother would suddenly die in my early forties.

This was never the way it was supposed to go. We were going to be old and funny. Go to the mall for lunch, A&W For breakfast, rent mobility aid scooters, get discounted deals everywhere. Simply because we were old, and lived life. Celebrating being old.

I imagine Scot and I will still do these things, but it won’t be the same. I won’t have my big brother. The guy who always had the answers to all my questions. Every single one.

I’ve had so many questions buzzing in my head since he died. I’ve missed him so much and so many times. I’ve done so many things that I would have shared with him. He truly brought the best out in everyone.

I miss you, Michael ❤Always and forever. ❤

Who Needs Mascara, Anyway?

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I haven’t worn mascara since March, 2019. I just couldn’t seem to keep it on without it turning to a streaky mess. I’ve come to the point where I am comfortable without it now.

Grief often feels like when you’re driving down a road you’ve never been down before. Except there aren’t many signs which tell you which way to go.                                        

William A. Switzer Provincial Park

I think about my brother every day. All day. I just have so many questions to ask. Not ask him but someone, or something. I guess the hardest question would be why? Why did this happen? I’ll never ever get an answer to that question. Nobody ever does. Maybe as days go by you just start to wonder less.

I miss you, Michael. We all do.

First Annual Mike Lowe Golf Tournament

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Hole #1 ❤

On Saturday August 10, 2019 we celebrated my brother and held the first ever Mike Lowe Memorial Golf Tourney. We had about 36 golfers and all proceeds will go to The Royal Alex CK Hui Heart Clinic. Michael spent the last 5 days of his life there.

This event was incredible. We managed to raise quite a lot of money for the hospital.

We had a great team of volunteers, sponsors and players. Rosie’s was the host bar and provided some drinks, lunch and dinner. I’d like to extend a huge shout out to The Bradshaw’s, Melissa, Erin Hardie, Susan and Wayne and the Rocky Mountain Ice House , Regal Steel, HSE, Edmonton Exchanger, and The Sicilian Pasta Kitchen South for their generous donations.

It’s so surreal still for me to think my brother really isn’t here with us. Listening to people talk and remember all the good times, and to have a toast to him, it’s crazy. It really doesn’t feel real yet.

I’m not totally convinced it ever will.

I miss you, Michael. We all do.

Everyday is different, but also  very much the same.

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Personally, the hardest part of each day is waking up. After minimal sleep most nights, each day begins with the thought that maybe it was all a dream. But then you remember it is real. You live each day with this emptiness. It still doesn’t feel real, and it’s been over 4 months. It’s real-not real over and again. Every day. I miss so many things about my brother. He was such an enormous part of my life. He had the answer for everything. Truly had a way of making such a huge impression on anyone who had ever met him.

This weekend we celebrate his life with the first annual Mike Lowe Memorial Golf Tournament. All proceeds to benefit The Royal Alex Cardiac Care Unit. They really did take such care of him there. Really great people.

There is always a lesson to learn. This time that lesson is to Be Like Mike. He took priority on making everyone him feel so special and included. Be Kool, Be Like Mike.

I miss you, Michael. We all do.

I’m Still Mike Lowe’s Little Sister

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I am Kathryn Lowe. Born in Wales, Raised in Fort McMurray

This is my journey. When you lose your big brother you lose your oldest friend. It is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. I am looking to share this story with you. I still have a very hard time opening up about it but I find writing helps.

Please feel free to share your personal experiences and feelings, as I know I am not the only child. Not the only child in my family and not the only child who has been tossed this same hand n this game we call life.

I miss you, Michael. We all do.

Wednesday March 27, 2019

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My phone rang just after 7 am. It was Melissa, Michael’s fiancé. I don’t exactly recall all the words, only Michael*heart attack*ambulance*hospital.

I gathered my thoughts and fears, got dressed and headed to the hospital in a daze. My brother remained in a coma and was pronounced dead 5 days later.

March 31, 2019. The day everything changed. We suffered such a tremendous loss in this world when Michael passed away. He created this gigantic impact on our tiny planet during his 44 years with us.

It has been 128 days since I have seen or talked to my brother. Trying to grasp this has been extremely hard. This is a journey I wish I could never have taken. However life throws us a ball and we try our best to move our arms and swing.

Please join this journey with me and feel free to share your special journey as well.

I am not the only child.