tedmichalik.com » Jeannie

Jeannie’s Birthday

Ted — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:34:13 +0000

Today is Jeannie’s Birthday. She would have been 56 years old. A couple of days ago at work I got a pop-up reminder about it from my Outlook calendar. I had forgotten to disable it after Jeannie had passed away. I had a momentary panic attack thinking I had neglected to get her a card, cake, and gift. Reality quickly came crashing back in and I found myself feeling very alone.

I had a good day today, however. I went out to dinner with Jon and Erin. We had a great meal and a nice time. Jon got me to join his Fantasy Football League and we chatted about that and how I got screwed in the draft. The fact of it being Jeannie’s birthday was not brought up. Erin was the one who suggested we go out tonight, and I suspect that she selected it so that I wouldn’t be lonely today. I am truly blessed with a wonderful daughter.

Jeannie’s Final Resting Place

Ted — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:25:44 +0000

Erin, Jon, and I made a road trip to Block Island, RI to scatter Jeannie’s ashes at the Southeast Lighthouse. It was six months to the day since she passed away. It was not planned for an anniversary, but just happened to work out that way. Jeannie had never been to this lighthouse before, but it was one of the ones in her collection of stained glass lighthouses.

We arrived by ferry around noon and had lunch at the National Hotel. Our seats were on the front porch of the hotel where we had a great view of the harbor and the main street of the town. Jon was very impressed with their clam chowder and said it was the best he’s ever had.

After lunch, we rented bikes and rode out to the Southeast Lighthouse. We took the tour of the lighthouse and walked around the grounds. The lighthouse sits on top of Mohegan Bluff. A short distance from the lighthouse are steps that we took down to the shore.

We made our way back along the shore to a secluded spot below the lighthouse. There we scattered Jeannie’s ashes and stood in silence for a few minutes. I thought of the good times we had and how unfair it was that she was now gone. A couple of times I thought of saying what I was thinking. Each time, however, I could feel the tears start to well up so I just kept quiet.

Goodbye Jeannie. We are going to miss you.

Montage Photos

Ted — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:55:06 +0000

Many people commented on what a good job the funeral home did on the montage at Jeannie’s funeral. I finally got the individual photos used to create it uploaded to my photo gallery. Click the photo at the left to see them.

Missed Anniversary

Ted — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:37:39 +0000

Yesterday was four months since Jeannie passed away. Today would have been our 34th wedding anniversary. The picture at the left is obviously from early in our marriage. I chose to use it here because we ended up being as happy with each other as we look in this picture.

It seems like there are big empty spaces in my life now. I am reminded of it every time I open a closet door and see an empty shelf where Jeannie’s stuff used to be. Staying busy helps as does the support of family and friends.

Jeannie’s Obituary Notice

Ted — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:46:02 +0000

Jeannie Gray Michalik
MICHALIK, JEANNIE GRAY, 55, passed away Thursday, February 7, 2008, at her residence. She was the former Jeannie Adams, a sales representative for Avon and also a sales clerk for Clater Jewelers. She was a graduate of the University of Kentucky, class of 1974 and J-Town High School, class of 1970. She was a former member of St. Barnabas Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband, Ted J. Michalik; and daughter, Erin Klarer (Jon). Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m. on Saturday at Highlands Family Owned Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Private service. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Hospice of Louisville. Published in The Courier-Journal from 2/8/2008 – 2/9/2008.

Jeannie’s Online Guest Book

Ted — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:38:39 +0000

Guest Book for

Jeannie Gray Michalik

	February 11, 2008
	Dear Ted. What a shock. I remember when you first moved to Granger Lake and Jeannie got into real estate in our office. Dave Wallace passed this info along to me. You and Erin are in my prayers.
	Sue Nissen (Medina, OH)

	February 11, 2008
	Erin, your Presentation Academy family is keeping you and your family in our prayers to help you through this painful time. Please call me if there is anything at all we (or I) can do to support you.
	Beth Lovins (Louisville, KY)

	February 9, 2008
	Ted & Erin, My thoughts and prayes are with you. Jeannie was an amazing woman and I will miss her emails. It saddened me to hear the news of her passing. I will keep you both in my prayers.
	Terri Stowe (Louisville, KY)

	February 9, 2008
	I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my heart and in my prayers.
	Ben Reno-Weber (Cambridge, MA)

	February 8, 2008
	Mr Michalik and Erin, I will keep you two in my thoughts and Prayers.
	Emily Lega Kleinholter (Louisville, KY)

	February 8, 2008
	Erin, I just wanted to tell you I am sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dad.
	Aron Flynn (Louisville)

	February 8, 2008
	Jeannie will always hold a special place in our hearts! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
	Amanda, Chris and Aidan Calhoun (Louisville, KY)

	February 8, 2008
	Our love and prayers to family. We were all blessed with a special love & friendship from Jeannie. THANK YOU FATHER FOR THE GIFT OF MEMORY, WHICH ALLOWS US TO HOLD CLOSE THE ONES WE LOVE,EVEN AFTER THEY ARE WITH YOU. AMEN.
	CHRISTINE & DAVID WALLACE (MEDINA, OH)

	February 8, 2008
	My thoughts and prayers are with you.
	Joan Strickland (Louisville, KY)

Published in The Courier-Journal from 2/8/2008 – 2/9/2008.;

My Best Friend

Ted — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:59:28 +0000

Besides being my loving wife for the last 33 years, Jeannie was my best friend. Her boldness and outgoing personality were the perfect complement to my caution and shyness, She will be sorely missed.

Jeannie Michalik Passed Away

Ted — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 04:21:15 +0000

My wife, Jeannie, passed away this morning after a long struggle with cancer. She was a fighter. When the lung cancer was first diagnosed, they said she only had eighteen months. She ended up doubling that and kept a good attitude the whole time. Thanks to all who kept her in your thoughts.