Life Goes On

One of the reasons we felt so compelled to come home (and chose not to post it here until now) was the sudden and serious illness of Jeff's best friend Mike. He was diagnosed with cancer in July. It came as a complete shock to Jeff, and being so far away from home didn't help matters.
For awhile the prognosis seemed positive. Mike had surgery and the doctors removed the cancer (or so they thought). Light rounds of chemo were ordered to eliminate any remaining traces of the cancer, and Mike was adjusting to all of it.
But, as it turns out, things were not so good after all. Jeff and I came home and moved into our house, and he immediately took the trip down south to see his buddy Mikey. They spent a nice weekend together, saying all the things that needed to be said, and of course enjoying one of their favorite pasttimes-- the NFL.
Not too long ago Mike's wife called to say he was not doing well. After a few rounds of chemo he had decided it wasn't for him, and as it turns out the cancer had made its way into his lymph nodes so the chemo would only be prolonging his misery. God bless him. At the young age of 41, he made the decision to not suffer any more.
Mikey passed away two days before Thanksgiving.
I shudder to think how Jeff would feel if we had still been on the road. Coming home was the right thing to do-- the only thing to do.
I only had the pleasure of meeting Mike once, but it was a day I'll always remember. He was having his 40th birthday party with an 80's theme and requested that everyone come dressed as their favorite 80's icon. We had fun dressing up and this is the picture you're looking at of me and Jeff, one of my favorites.
This post is written in honor of Mikey, who lived his life to the fullest, and reminded us all to do the same. You never know how long you'll be here, and my own personal belief is to spread as much joy and laughter as you can, so you'll be remembered with the same joy and laughter when you're gone.
God bless you Mikey, and God speed!
PHOTO: Mike and his wife Tiffany are front and center (with their little girl) in the group photo.