It was three months ago today when I rushed out of work at 4:00 O'clock on a Friday afternoon to go night fishing with my three little brothers Michael, Thomas and Paul and their hilarious friends. Like all our fishing trips I knew it was going to be a great time, and it was - I never thought it would be the last time I would see Michael - I feel blessed to have that one last gift of his laughter.

Our fishing trips were one of the bonds that we shared and no one loved them more than Michael - He only missed one trip to Florida - when he was in the fire academy - The only thing that could possibly keep Michael from the annual Lynch family fishing trip was the job that he loved - a vocation he aspired to from the time he was a boy.

Michael didn't catch a fish that Friday night three months ago. As I drove him home, way past my bedtime, he kept saying to me - "I can't believe I didn't catch a fish - I was trying so hard": But that was Michael, he thought he could do anything. - It was that sense of invincibility that all of the brave fireman must have as they risk their lives each day to save others - they are a truly a gift from God.

I know how proud Michael was to be part of this brotherhood - I guess having three sisters and six brothers wasn't enough for Michael - so he went out and got 10,000 more!

Some of the best times of my life were shared with Michael. The wildly fun times like the fishing trips, and our famous weekend in South Carolina; and the more serious times - when he asked me to be his sponsor for confirmation, and the joyous occasion when he became my daughter Siobhan's Godfather - We have all grieved for the loss of Michael - but not for the memories of the great times past - they will always burn strong in our hearts

No instead we grieve for the greatest times in our lives ahead that we had hoped to share with him.

We will miss him dearly, but through our faith we know that he will always be part of us and he will be there watching over us and smiling with us - helping us to heal and to be brave the way he is - the way he would want us to be - and we will do that for him.

When you grow up in a large family like ours you can't help but be proud of the accomplishments of your brothers and sisters - I remember the night of Thomas's wedding - Michael and Paul had finished toasting Thomas and Traci - and we all wiped tears of laughter from our eyes - I was astounded by Michael's eloquence and uncompromising sense of timing - I clearly remember watching him dance with his bride to be Stephanie -their Love was as strong as Love could be - and something struck me and I turned to my beautiful wife Ruth and said " My God what a fine young man Michael has become" - he was so self assured - he had found the woman of his dreams - he had the job he had always aspired to - he had made it - and he was happy - I will never forget how proud of him I was at that moment.

Mom and Dad - I can only imagine how difficult this has been for you over the past three months - I just want you to know that you raised a wonderful son. Your love, your dedication and sacrifice to all of your children - all of my brothers and sisters - has resulted in a wonderful family that we are so blessed to be part of. You have made a difference in this sometimes difficult world - more importantly you raised a wonderful son - and please know that Michael made a difference - not even death can take that away. We all thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for giving us the gift of Michael

God has chosen to take Michael home - maybe heaven needed him more than we did - but I know as I stand here today that heaven is a much funnier place than it was on September 10th.

I will miss you little brother - I love you dearly. We can admit now that you were the best fisherman in the family. Make sure you pick out a couple of good fishing spots on fiddlers green for the rest of us - and try not show up the apostles!