Remembering Mike

Today our neighbor Mike passed away. He was one month away from his 72nd birthday. He passed away from cancer which had not been diagnosed until a few weeks ago. By that time it had spread too much. He was in the hospital and then moved to a nursing home just this week.

We've lived across the street from Mike for 20 years. His wife died the first few years we were here and we didn't know her very well. After Mike retired he became a regular "garage buddy". My husband has a workshop in the garage and when he has the garage door up and is working on a project, neighbors like to come by and chat. Mike was a regular.

When I would pull into the driveway and walk through the garage into the house, Mike would like to say, "the fun is over". We are sad that he is gone. When someone passes unexpectedly, you stop and think when was the last time you saw them, what was the last conversation you had. Too often we do not get the chance to say good bye.

Mike left home to go to the doctor's office a few weeks ago and never returned to his home. His sons are now here trying to sort through his home and have the task of selling the cars, the motor home and the house.

I look around my home and worry about all the "stuff" I may leave behind for someone else to clean up and throw away. But I have decided that for now it is my "stuff" and I like having it around me. The reason why may not be apparent to my daughter 30 or 40 years from now, but that is okay. Today it means something to me.

Remember each day to be kind, be loving, and remember we do not know what others may be going through. Cherish one another, live with no regrets.