Up, up the long delirious burning blue...

This is my third post regarding Mike and Donna. Words simply cannot express my sorrow. I wish I could have one more moment for a photograph, share some more kind words and laughter, a hug, one more flight, one more motorcycle ride. Maybe one more breakfast together where Donna orders a "little co-pilot", a kids meal where the pancakes come in a fun shape and we all smile. Our new-found friendship was just a tiny blossom yet to fully bloom. When I think of Mike and Donna, I see them walking hand in hand in heaven. Are there helicopters in heaven?

High Flight

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings.
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air,
Up, up the long delirious burning blue.
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew;
And while with silent uplifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God!

-"High Flight", a poem by John Gillespie Magee Jr.
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Michael Gauchat

Michael Allen Gauchat, 41, of Peoria, passed away on May 22, 2009. He was born Nov. 12, 1967 in Crestwood, Missouri to parents C. Robert and Carol Gauchat. Mike was a Police Officer with the Peoria Police Department for 19 years. He is preceded in death by his mother, Carol Gauchat. Michael is survived by his daughter, Kristina Gauchat; father, C. Robert Gauchat; and brother, Jeffry Gauchat. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, May 30 at Christ Church of the Valley, 7007 W. Happy Valley Rd., Peoria, with interment to follow at Sunland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations may be made at any Chase bank in honor of Michael Gauchat.

Published in The Arizona Republic on 5/29/2009
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Donna Cullum

Donna Marie Cullum, at age 45 passed away on May 22, 2009. She is survived by her son, Justin David Cullum, her daughter Nichole Marie Cullum, and her dog Kiley Cullum. She is a wonderful mother and an amazing friend to us kids. She was a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin, and a friend. Donna loved being outdoors and flying. She was very independent, strong-willed, and very much in love to a great guy (Mike Gauchat). She will always be missed. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th, 2009 at 10:00am at Christ Church of the Valley, 7007 W. Happy Valley Rd. Peoria. In lieu of flowers; donations can be made to Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, where an account is being established in her honor. Arrangements entrusted to Heritage Funeral Chapel.

Published in The Arizona Republic from 5/28 to 5/29/2009