In Loving Memory of Michael Jakovich 1960-2003

  Message from Elena-Mike's wife

Message from Beth Branigan-Mike's cousin

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." -Henry Adams

   March 30th…Michael’s birthday…we should have been celebrating his life, not honoring his memory. Yet, we do need to honor all he accomplished in his too short, time here.

  Michael had this incredible gift of bringing out the best in people, because that’s what he saw. Not only did he accept everyone for who they were, he saw the good in them, and helped them see the good in themselves. He believed in people, even when they didn’t believe in themselves, and gave them a sense of pride and a goal to strive toward.

  Michael had more experiences in so little time, than most have who’ve lived twice as long. He truly lived his life with passion. Yes, he made mistakes, but it was because he was never afraid to take chances. He was never afraid to "fight the good fight" for what he truly believed in, even if so few held the same beliefs. Michael always fought fiercely for fairness in a world that is so unfair.

   He touched so many lives, so deeply, because he was a true friend and always "real". He truly cared. His friends knew, his students knew, his family knew, I knew. His son, Nathan, was everything to him, he always said that he was his greatest accomplishment and his hope for the future. I’ll always cherish every minute we spent together. Even though our time together was far too short, I know that we experienced a love that many never find, and I am truly grateful for that. I’m a better person because Michael was part of my life. I’m very proud that he was my husband.

   Happy Birthday Michael! You’re loved and missed more than you could ever know. Your heart was too big for this world.

Elena Jakovich

  My name is Beth Randall Branigan. Michael was my kid cousin, more like a kid brother. His laughter, smile and compassion are forever embedded in my memory.

Jews say a prayer several times a year for loved ones who have died. The prayer, Kaddish, is recited on Yom Kippur during the Yizkor Service. There were two passages included in the Yizkor booklet this year that made me think of Michael and all of us who are missing him. The first was written by Simcha Kling. I don't know who wrote the second. I share them now as birthday gifts to Michael's memory and legacy.

When the Yizkor is recited, we affirm our love of those
so near and dear who have physically left us.

Our love, however, does not rest on physical being;
it is deeper than that.

When we love, we love the inner being of the beloved,
the quality that make for uniqueness,
the spirit that creates personality and character.

That does not ever disappear.
It remains with us as long as we live.

Time eases the pain of loss
but does not erode the affection and emotions we feel
for the one who no longer moves about in our midst.

We know that whatever lives, someday must die.
That, however, is true only of the material world.
The spiritual can endure forever.

When we lose one who is dear, we mourn
but we must not mourn excessively.
We must be grateful for what we have had
and find comfort in our memories.

We must continue the task of living, paying tribute
to our departed by contributing to the lives of others.

-Simcha Kling

We Remember Them

At the rising of the sun and at its going down
we remember them.

At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter
we remember them.

At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring
we remember them.

At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer
we remember them.

At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn
we remember them.

At the beginning of the year and when it ends
we remember them.

As long as we live, they too will live;
for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength
we remember them

When we are lost and sick at heart
we remember them.

When we have joy we crave to share
we remember them.

When we have decisions that are difficult to make
we remember them.

When we have achievements that are based on theirs
we remember them.

As long as we live, they too will live;
for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.

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