Honoring Michael by Tina Hutchence
(22nd November 2004)

I want to thank all of the wonderful people who have given a piece of their heart and taken the time to leave a message for Michael and the family.

I rose early and picked up some beautiful Iris on my way to Forest Lawn. Mother and Ross had asked me to place some flowers at Michael's site, for them. I took some quiet time to sit in front of the stone and ‘talk' to Michael.

Of course I thought about taking some of my own too, but chose instead to contribute to a charity in Michael's name. I leave so many floral arrangements over the year and decided that Michael would much prefer for me to give to a good cause. That is the way he reasoned and it would honor his memory and mean so much more.

I chose a charity that Erin brought to my attention. A man in the United Kingdom has set up a charity that sets up beehives in Africa . This wonderful idea follows the saying; ‘ Give a man a fish he eats for a day. Give a man a fishing pole he can support himself for life' (and it affords a person so much more dignity)

With support this charity can manufacture enough beehives, to ensure distribution across Africa . They have already set up a school in Uganda to instruct the villagers in beekeeping. Apart from producing African Bee honey, which can be distributed for sale throughout the world, this business itself will create other micro-employment opportunities. A by-product is that the bee activity will no doubt help other crops.

If you are interested, the site is www.hivessavelives.com

Tina Hutchence

California , U.S.A.

November 22, 2004