Matthew Erik Morrow

Matthew was very particular on who he loved and when he loved you, you felt as if he loved you and no one else. Growing up, even as his mom, I could never say no to him. As hard as I tried, he was relentless on what he wanted. I would put him in time out, well only once, because at age 3 I found out timeouts didn't work for him. In minutes after shutting his bedroom door, he walks in the front door after climbing out of his bedroom window announcing, "timeout over Mamma". I should have known since he went from cradle to bed at 4 months old. He flipped out of his crib and crawled out of his room never to return to a crib again. “Houdini Matt” would be buckled in his car seat with an additional harness and by the time I walked around to the driver's seat he was sitting right next to me in the passenger seat saying, "Hi mama". Matthew is my greatest teacher. His wisdom far exceeded his age or life experience and the way he handled life truly was a life lesson for me. Matthew took a piece of my heart to heaven with him and I have kept a piece of his with me so that we are never apart.

Matthew attended St Patrick Catholic School in Largo and still has all his great friends from there. Matthew worked in the health industry, the food industry, the beer industry and as a world traveler. When he called me to tell me that he left his Publix career and that it was the happiest day of his life, which then took him on his beloved adventures, which led him to more friends that he loved more than words could express.

Through his last year Matt and I have been inseparable. On one of our doctor adventures he sat across from me and told me that he is so lucky because he only had two days in his whole life that he was ever sad and that he got to do everything on his bucket list. As he looked into my eyes after that comment, he saw how the comment affected me. He took my hands and said, mom, I can add to the list for you and stay a little longer.

Matthew was blessed with his childhood friendships from babies on, Kevin, Lisa, Jason and the list goes on. He loved all of you so much.

Matthew always wanted to be like his brother Dennis and through transplant he received that wish. Matthew cousins, Laura and Krista, he loved you both like sisters and he so enjoyed all your adventures together. Uncle Harry and Uncle Gerard, what can I say to you; my brothers he loved you both. Harry, when he first came home after being so sick and you came over, I will never forget how he hugged you and didn't want to let you go, thank you for being there for him. Aunt Patty, your ziti was so filled with love as this was his last food that sustained him through those last days.

Matthew is overwhelmed and so grateful how friends and family supported him in so many ways through this last year there isn’t enough paper to thank you all. Matthew loved life and life loved him. His last words to me were" freedom, I am free ".

So Matthew, as your mom, it's OK for me to miss you and if you see me crying and as you would say, "are you doing that crying thing again", know it's tears of love as you made my heart sing.

From his brother these are the words that express who Matthew life is to him.

Kind, funny, genuine, lived life to the fullest, Superman wears Matthew Morrow's underwear, unbridled optimism, courage, persistence, adventuress, hilarious, full of light, jokester, infectious happiness, witty and charismatic, that his impact on people will never be forgotten, adventuress, cool dude, great friend, took chances, followed his dream and the best brother ever!

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st Street, Seminole, FL 33776 / 727-391-0121.