6-26-2009 09:03 Host: ip68-224-232-148.lv.lv.cox.net

Well I cannot believe it has been a year. Not a minute goes by that we do not think of you dad. I still wipe a tear when I see a picture. Chloe and Devin are such troopers but still weep when they think of you not being here. And I cry more than them when they talk about you but we all know you are not hurting anymore.

Here is the tree we have been raising since you have passed. We thought it left us over the winter. It blossomed and grew in a matter of weeks.

We planted this on June 21st, 2009.

We will always be thinking about you...

6-24-2009 12:34 Host: ip68-96-211-133.lv.lv.cox.net

The Mourning Fog
by Candee Heller

Shrouded in gray
The waves lick the shore
Silently
Reverently
Awaiting the sun.

Lay damp on my skin
Silent mist of sorrow.
Protect me
Shield me
From light not welcome here.
Yet.

This is just something felt compelled to write this morning. I'm thinking of you all, yet dare not call because my voice isn't strong today, nor is my heart. Just as it felt as if I'd known Mike forever, it also feels like he's been gone forever. It's hard to believe it's only been one year.

Hugs and kisses to you all
Candee

5-23-2009 12:46 Host: pa-67-234-165-97.dhcp.embarqhsd.net

It has been a few weeks now since I learned of the passing of Mr. Baird. I was deeply saddened to hear this news. I have been trying to think of something profound to say but I think Mr. Baird would want me to just say what I am thinking.

Whenever I think of Mr. Baird, it brings a smile to my face. He was a large part of my childhood and he always made me feel comfortable in his home and share his love of music, comedy, etc. I still remember watching Howie Mandel's standup video and laughing until I cried while I sat at the end of the couch closest to Mr. Baird in his recliner. I also remember listening to him play his song for Bernadette on the piano at the age of 10 and thinking it was the greatest thing I had ever heard in my young life to that point. I also remember him playing Air Supply all of the time and I still like them to this day because of him.

I guess what I really want to say is, Mr. Baird, I miss you, I love you and thank you for being a positive influence on me and providing me with memories that will last a lifetime.

"Billy" McDermott

1-5-2009 06:29 Host: ip68-224-232-2.lv.lv.cox.net

Hey Dad. Mom is gettin a new kitchen. I thought you would love seeing her happy with new cabinets and watching Chloe with a sledge hammer in her hands.

8-9-2008 18:59 Host: ip68-224-114-70.lv.lv.cox.net

In my attempt at bravery, I wrote the following for Mike's memorial. Tears wouldn't allow me to speak intelligibly that day so here it is - unfinished, much like his life...

"In many ways, for Mike, relief has finally come. He is free from the physical pain of his illness, from the mental pain of fear that must go with such an illness. Free from the regret of things left undone, the sadness of things left unsaid..... for me, there is the joy of knowing this pain he bore so very bravely and for so long is now gone from him forever, he is as he was and was always meant to be.

I personally, do not know for sure if there is some perfect place after death, not in the way most people talk about it anyway, but I choose to believe there is, simply because it doesn't make sense to me for there not to be. One thing that is certain is that we all, every living thing, come from dust and we return to dust but i never think of that dust as being something loved ones just sweep away from our memories. We are so much more then that and I see it every night when I look up at the sky and see the stars. Some people feel small, almost insignificant when they think of the great Cosmos but it makes me feel HUGE knowing I came from such things. And now Mike will go on forever to be a part of such greatness.

I think of the great Nebula's out there, busy gathering dust from all corners of the universe, stirring them up and creating new life within them, our dust, making new suns, new solar systems, new planets and new life on those planets and I feel good about this short life we have here because I understand its only one tiny spec of existence and there is a whole journey yet to enjoy out there. What great things is Mike now a part of? What wonders will he see along the way? And when he looks back toward us, he will know that we can see him be all he was always meant to be - a shining, bright light for us to follow.

Even though I know he now a shining light in the night sky, I will miss my friend. I know he was given to me to forever be my guardian angel. We met during my darkest hour, and he brought me back to life with the quiet strength of his spirit. He was a giant of man, in every sense of the word. God had to make him huge to make room for all that courage, his vast knowledge of things big and small, his generosity, his unwavering patriotism and the love that shined in those beautiful, twinkling eyes."

See Michael, I told you I'd visit when I could.

8-7-2008 06:10 Host: 68-115-147-221.dhcp.hckr.nc.charter.com

Hey guys, sorry to hear about your dads passing. Mr Baird was a very kind and loving man. I learned alot from him growing up in our neighborhood in Fairless Hills. He always had a happy smilie and something smart to say.Please don't be sad because thats not what he wants from you. Remember all your trips when ya'll where little, the sleep overs and partys. He has gone on to heaven to help prepare a place for you. As time goes on things will get better. Your dad taught ya'll that no matter what obstacles come in your path you can over come. I learned this from Mr. Mike Baird. Who could ever ask for a better hero! I love you all and miss you too! As Joe Dirt says "Keep on Keepin On" Love to all, Joy

7-20-2008 09:18 Host: pool-72-94-42-245.phlapa.fios.verizon.net

Suzanne, Bernadette, Michael, Abbe and children - you are always in our thoughts and hearts.

Love to all
Fran, John, John and Nick

7-11-2008 04:44 Host: ip68-224-232-2.lv.lv.cox.net

I may not see you physically but you are always in my thoughts. Enjoy your painless heavenly life.

7-7-2008 01:36 Host: c-71-196-237-11.hsd1.co.comcast.net

Mike and Abbe just wanted to say you have been in my prayers and thoughts so sad for your loss, will try to help keep things together.

7-6-2008 07:50 Host: ip68-224-232-2.lv.lv.cox.net

Thanks Zerk

6-30-2008 21:14 IP: 98.220.100.227

Mike,

Just wanted to stop by and pass along my respects. Your father has been in my prayers ever since i heard about him. Pass along my respects to your family, im sure you father will be deeply missed.

6-30-2008 01:18 Host: ip68-224-232-2.lv.lv.cox.net

You know, I have been unable to sleep much since dad got sick this last time.
Yesterday and last night all I could do was think of things to say in this neat little story section. I sat up for hours thinking and thinking.

It was when I started looking at some of the pictures that Abbe and I put up on the site that got me wondering...
All of the things that he went through in his life. All of the people that he helped, all of the people that he has touched in so many different ways.
I have such a hard time thinking of what I ever did for him. I know how much he loved all of his grandchildren and how much he loved all of us, but out of all of that....there is no one on this earth that I can think of that can even compare to what he has left us with. All the memories and wisdom he has passed along.
I know sooner or later it is just gonna hit me like a ton of bricks and I am really unsure on how I will handle the actual thought of dad not being there to help me get out of whatever bind I have gotten myself into.
But I do know that all of the wisdom and passion he has shown to me and others...I am going to do my damnedest to pass that along to everyone I possibly can. This way I know for sure that he will live forever in all of us that he has touched.

6-29-2008 19:17 Host: ip68-224-232-2.lv.lv.cox.net

say you would like to add a photo that is in the photo album that you have already uploaded...you always right click on the image and go to the properties and see where the image is located and copy and paste that location in between the [ img ] ...[/img] tags by clicking on the IMG above

6-29-2008 18:46 Host: ip68-224-232-2.lv.lv.cox.net

I will be the first to post something on the stories section.

I know that all that have ever come in contact with my father will always take something with them for the rest of their lives. And also hopefully pass his wisdom onto others.