Michael Joseph Morrissey

After a courageous battle, our dear baby boy, Michael Joseph Morrissey, passed away on Thursday night, January 10, 2008.nbsp; Michael was surrounded by family and friends and our priest, Fr. Beauvais, and died in the loving arms of his mother, father, and big sister as we sang to him the song, Michael Row Your Boat Ashore. nbsp; Michael profoundly changed many lives in his short time with us.nbsp; We are thankful to all of our family and friends and members of the Rockford community who united in prayer, support, and love for our baby.nbsp; We are very grateful also to the caringbridge.org web site for helping us to share Michaels beautiful life and inspirational story with so many people.nbsp; We are so thankful for the many individuals who have shared with us their own stories and words of encouragement, faith, hope, and love.nbsp; They are a great memory and great blessing in our time of sorrow. nbsp; We would like to thank the many care providers at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn.nbsp; Many compassionate and courageous souls work in their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.nbsp; We would like to thank all of the nursing staff, especially Sue, Lilly, Nichole, Brian, Jamie, Joann, Kristen, and Shelly and therapists Julia, Kerry, and Matthew.nbsp; We also thank Jean Smith, the manager of the NICU, and Patty and Sima for their support and smiles.nbsp; They gave more than medicine to Michael.nbsp; They gave love and comfort to our baby boy.nbsp; We thank the neonatologists who had the challenge of managing Michaels day-to-day care.nbsp; We also thank the surgery and cardiology teams and we pray for a day when medicine can advance to give children with Michaels heart condition a better chance.nbsp; We pray for all of these care providers that they not despair in any life lost, but that they may feel hope and love in knowing that they gave our son 40 blessed days with his family. nbsp; We would also like to thank the special family in Palos Park who took us into their home and into their hearts during Michaels time at the hospital.nbsp; They took us in as strangers and gave us far more than just shelter, they provided love and compassion.nbsp; They gave us a home away from home.nbsp; We also thank our special friends in Rockford who took care of our home when we had to leave in a crisis.nbsp; They helped us prepare for bringing our baby home. These are living examples of Christs love on earth.nbsp; We will always cherish their gifts. nbsp; Michael was such a beautiful little boy.nbsp; He surprised many by his courage and will to live.nbsp; Despite all of the medicine and sedation, Michael did his best to show off to Mommy and Daddy and the nurses.nbsp; He would work so hard to raise his arms, move his little feet, and even open his eyes. He reminded us of the true meaning and value of life.nbsp; We are so proud of him. nbsp; Michael leaves behind his loving parents, Stacy and Larry, and his big sister, Seanna; his Nana and Papa Morrissey, Nana Hedrick, Grandpa Hedrick, Great Grandpa Hedrick and Great Grandpa Cradic, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins on both the Hedrick and Morrissey side.nbsp; Michael was predeceased by several uncles and aunts, Grandma Hedrick, Grandma Cradic, and his Dads cousin Brian. nbsp; In Michaels short life, he never had the chance to leave the hospital.nbsp; While our hearts are broken and will miss our Michael so very much, we rejoice as we finally get the chance to bring Michael back to his hometown of Rockford.nbsp; We will take Michael with us when we enjoy a sunny day at the park.nbsp; Michael will always be in our hearts and united in our souls on this earth until we join him once again with our Lord forever and into eternity. nbsp; nbsp;A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at St. James Catholic Church with Rev. David E. Beauvais officiating.nbsp; Visitation from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Fitzgerald Funera