Not a day goes by that we don't miss you. We have learned to go on, but none of us will ever be the same. There is an empty hole in our hearts that aches to hear your voice, see your smile and feel your hug everyday.
The Harford-Cecil County Fireman's Association honored you and your fellow fallen firefighters in their Memorial Service at Perryville Fire Company on March 26, 2004
VHS and DVD of this service is available for purchase.
To obtain a copy, send a letter with your name, address and phone requesting a video ($10.00) or DVD ($15.00) with a check payable to "Harford County". Mail to Harford Cable Network, 399 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, MD 21015. Attention: Sandy Eanes.
Lisa had her Senior Prom on April 23, 2004. We missed you so much that day.
Lisa Graduated from high school on June 12, 2004. How proud you would have been...
Even though they have her last name wrong
in the caption, they did hold her diploma!
Seems she forgot to return a few text books.
We got it straightened out, and she did graduate!
She put her tassel on your grave. Words just can't come close to expressing how horrible it felt that you weren't there.
All your favorite girls survived Senior Week at the beach.
You're number #1 daughter turned 21 on July 8th. Happy Birthday, Katie!!!
Katie starts school to become a cardiac technician on August 11, 2004.
Pictures to come.
December 22, 2004 - The anniversary of our first year without you.
Ever living God, this day revives in us memories of Mike who is no more. What happiness we shared when he walked among us. What joy, when loving and being loved, we lived our lives together.
HIS MEMORY IS A BLESSING FOR EVER.
Months have passed and still we feel near to him. Our heart yearns for him. Though the bitter grief has softened, a duller pain abides; for the place where once Mike stood is empty now. The links of life are broken, but the links of love and longing cannot break.
HIS SOUL IS BOUND UP IN OURS FOREVER.
We see Mike now with the eye of memory, his faults forgiven, his virtues grown larger. So does goodness live, and weakness fade from sight. We remember Mike with graittude and bless his name.
HIS MEMORY IS A BLESSING FOREVER.
And we remember as well all those who were part of our lives. To all who cared for us and labored for all people, we pay tribute. May we prove worthy of carrying on the traditions of our faith, for now the task is ours.
MIKE'S SOUL IS BOUND IN OURS FOREVER.
We give thanks that Mike now lives and reigns with you. As a great crowd of witnesses, Mike and all who have gone before us surround us with their blessings, and offer you hymns of praise and thanksgiving.
THEY ARE ALIVE FOR EVER MORE. AMEN.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...but it's not the same with you not there.
Christmas Eve was always a special at the Ross house. It was about family. It was about being together. It was about love. Once the sun set, we would have sheperd's pie for Christmas Eve dinner. We would then retire into the living room, light a fire in the fireplace, and watch Miracle on 34th Street. The last Christmas Eve Mike was alive it snowed. It was truly a magical night. The beautiful memory of that evening lives on in our hearts, and will forever sustain us until we are together again. Merry Christmas darling.
Our 2004 Christmas Dinner Table
At our Christmas dinner table this year there were 5 places set.
The red plate is for MIKE - although not with us physically, he is with us in spirit.
The green plate is for LISA - missing her daddy so much, especially during this holiday season.
The blue plate is for ERIC - Lisa's friend who is a Marine in Iraq. Be safe Eric.
The orange plate is for MATTHEW - our adopted Marine in Iraq from Operation Homefront Hugs. Be safe Matthew.
And the white plate is for KAREN - missing Mike so much, but knowing he is safe in the loving arms of the Lord, and praying for the safe return of Eric and Matthew and all of our brave men and women in the military.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL. GOD BLESS US EVERYONE.
Your Legacy Lives On...
Putting a headstone up with a Maltese Cross on it just didn't seem like enough. You taught me so much about love and about life. In some small way I needed to create a living tribute to you. I am too old and too debilitated to fight fires. But if I can help someone who is injured or sick, I will feel like I am carrying on the beautiful legacy you left us. Somehow, Mike, I had to find a way to make certain that there was a Ross riding on red trucks with flashing lights. God knows I can never come close to filling your shoes, nor replace what this community lost when you died. So many times I saw you get out of a comfortable chair or a warm bed to go and help someone you didn't even know. You never complained. To you it was a blessing, never a burden. Riding the ambulance has given me a much greater appreciation for what you sacrificied for so many years. As you can see, loving you has forever changed me. Your spirit of love and caring is with me always - even though you are no longer with me physically. I pray you ride with me on each journey and give me your wisdom and courage. And so sweet dariling, I dedicate my service to the community to you as a small living tribute to the beautiful love we shared.
May 14, 2005 -Your legacy continues...Katie graduated from her Cardiac Technologist program today.
We are beaming with unbelievable pride at Katie and her awesome accomplishment! She did this for you Mike, in your honor, hoping to help prevent another family from suffering through such a sensless loss. Your life and legacy continue to have a profound impact on all those you touched. How proud you would have been to be there and see her receive her diploma. We know you would have given her one of your big bear hugs and told her how proud are of her. We know you were smiling in Heaven today!
In your honor
This one's for you Mike. I did this for you, to honor your memory and carry on your legacy of thinking about others before you think about yourself. I know you are with me, challenging me, encouraging me, and giving me the strength to keep going even I feel like giving up. You never gave up, even to the last day of your life. This seems like the least I can do to honor you. When you reach for the stars, you will find them, even in the darkness, because ...
Real love stories have no end.
Look who finally arrived!!
Look at your little grandson!! Atticus Michael arrived on January 17th after LOTS of hard work! : ) I think so much about what it would be like to have you here to meet him and John and to see our little family. I know that you would have been by my side the whole time, and I am almost certain that with you around I couldn't keep you away from him. You would LOVE him, he is absolutely the most amazing thing that has happened to me. I hope this little tribute continues to carry on your legacy as we have. Thank you for bringing such an amazing little person in to our lives to enjoy. It doesn't take the pain away that we still feel from losing you, but it definitely brings a joy to our lives that we haven't had in so long. We miss you and we hope your smiling down on us and enjoying your new grandson. I love you Daddy, and "Little Mikey" loves you too!
On the Road
Well Mike, I'm officially on the road now as a Maryland Paramedic, and working again as an RN. And I'm a grandmother now. Despite all of these wonderful changes in my life, there still remains a big hole in my life and in my heart because you are not here to share these things. I often think of how different life would be if you were still here. It's still hard to believe you are gone, even though it has been over 3 years. What hasn't changed is how much you are loved, thought of and missed. I don't think any amount of time will ever change that.
513 en route...
Atticus "Mikey" got his first firetruck from Grandmom Karen and Grandpop Skids. It is designated as 513 and is already en route. Here is your little chip off the old block. We sure wish you were here to take him for a ride...
;
| A special thank you to Sally McGrath for generously donating her time to help with the development of this website |
Even though they have her last name wrong 
Pictures to come.
Ever living God, this day revives in us memories of Mike who is no more. What happiness we shared when he walked among us. What joy, when loving and being loved, we lived our lives together.
HIS MEMORY IS A BLESSING FOR EVER.
Months have passed and still we feel near to him. Our heart yearns for him. Though the bitter grief has softened, a duller pain abides; for the place where once Mike stood is empty now. The links of life are broken, but the links of love and longing cannot break.
HIS SOUL IS BOUND UP IN OURS FOREVER.
We see Mike now with the eye of memory, his faults forgiven, his virtues grown larger. So does goodness live, and weakness fade from sight. We remember Mike with graittude and bless his name.
HIS MEMORY IS A BLESSING FOREVER.
And we remember as well all those who were part of our lives. To all who cared for us and labored for all people, we pay tribute. May we prove worthy of carrying on the traditions of our faith, for now the task is ours.
MIKE'S SOUL IS BOUND IN OURS FOREVER.
We give thanks that Mike now lives and reigns with you. As a great crowd of witnesses, Mike and all who have gone before us surround us with their blessings, and offer you hymns of praise and thanksgiving.
THEY ARE ALIVE FOR EVER MORE. AMEN.
Christmas Eve was always a special at the Ross house. It was about family. It was about being together. It was about love. Once the sun set, we would have sheperd's pie for Christmas Eve dinner. We would then retire into the living room, light a fire in the fireplace, and watch Miracle on 34th Street. The last Christmas Eve Mike was alive it snowed. It was truly a magical night. The beautiful memory of that evening lives on in our hearts, and will forever sustain us until we are together again. Merry Christmas darling.
At our Christmas dinner table this year there were 5 places set.
The red plate is for MIKE - although not with us physically, he is with us in spirit.
The green plate is for LISA - missing her daddy so much, especially during this holiday season.
The blue plate is for ERIC - Lisa's friend who is a Marine in Iraq. Be safe Eric.
The orange plate is for MATTHEW - our adopted Marine in Iraq from Operation Homefront Hugs. Be safe Matthew.
And the white plate is for KAREN - missing Mike so much, but knowing he is safe in the loving arms of the Lord, and praying for the safe return of Eric and Matthew and all of our brave men and women in the military.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL. GOD BLESS US EVERYONE.
Putting a headstone up with a Maltese Cross on it just didn't seem like enough. You taught me so much about love and about life. In some small way I needed to create a living tribute to you. I am too old and too debilitated to fight fires. But if I can help someone who is injured or sick, I will feel like I am carrying on the beautiful legacy you left us. Somehow, Mike, I had to find a way to make certain that there was a Ross riding on red trucks with flashing lights. God knows I can never come close to filling your shoes, nor replace what this community lost when you died. So many times I saw you get out of a comfortable chair or a warm bed to go and help someone you didn't even know. You never complained. To you it was a blessing, never a burden. Riding the ambulance has given me a much greater appreciation for what you sacrificied for so many years. As you can see, loving you has forever changed me. Your spirit of love and caring is with me always - even though you are no longer with me physically. I pray you ride with me on each journey and give me your wisdom and courage. And so sweet dariling, I dedicate my service to the community to you as a small living tribute to the beautiful love we shared. 
We are beaming with unbelievable pride at Katie and her awesome accomplishment! She did this for you Mike, in your honor, hoping to help prevent another family from suffering through such a sensless loss. Your life and legacy continue to have a profound impact on all those you touched. How proud you would have been to be there and see her receive her diploma. We know you would have given her one of your big bear hugs and told her how proud are of her. We know you were smiling in Heaven today! 
This one's for you Mike. I did this for you, to honor your memory and carry on your legacy of thinking about others before you think about yourself. I know you are with me, challenging me, encouraging me, and giving me the strength to keep going even I feel like giving up. You never gave up, even to the last day of your life. This seems like the least I can do to honor you. When you reach for the stars, you will find them, even in the darkness, because ...
Well Mike, I'm officially on the road now as a Maryland Paramedic, and working again as an RN. And I'm a grandmother now. Despite all of these wonderful changes in my life, there still remains a big hole in my life and in my heart because you are not here to share these things. I often think of how different life would be if you were still here. It's still hard to believe you are gone, even though it has been over 3 years. What hasn't changed is how much you are loved, thought of and missed. I don't think any amount of time will ever change that. 