Wednesday, June 14
My cancer journey is now 16 months running. Undoubtedly, there has been an incredibly vast number of unselfish, compassionate supporters who have rallied to walk stride for stride with me. In this post I choose to highlight one of these amazing people.
We have known each other for a lifetime. This fact precludes me from relating a full list of his awesomeness, as there is insufficient time and space. Suffice it to say that we have skied, backpacked, hiked and climbed mountains together. We have traveled together – traipsing the jungles of Costa Rica and the ruins of Tikal, as well as driven across the American continent twice. We have played countless hours poker together. We have shared in numerous childhood pranks and supported each others outrageous stories. We have been baseball and basketball teammates for our entire lives. We have even built a house together – from top to bottom!
We have shed tears together while burying two parents!
That was then and this is now. Presently, I am fully convinced that my brother, Rich, would do ANYTHING in his power for me! I mean ANYTHING! He is fully and genuinely dedicated to my well-being. He so desperately wants me to be pain free, cancer free and healthy again! I see in his eyes a suffering of helplessness as he navigates that tricky place of respecting my space and making sure he visits to comfort and stay close. He always unselfishly walks down to spend quality time with me. I list only a few of the many things where he has been so very helpful: assisting with the settling of Aunt Joan’s estate, coordinating family visitors, relating to softball and poker folks, organizing outings, listening to me when I am down and visiting with my mother-in-law. He never fails to check in after every OHSU visit and has written numerous letters to boost my spirits including the very first entry in Laurie’s book.
Simply put, I cannot imagine my life without my brother Rich as my perpetual wing man. I am forever grateful for his dedication! I often wonder if our rolls were reversed if I could be as dedicated to him as he has been to me. I wonder?
Thank You Rich!
As I began to read the first sentence you wrote in this most recent blog, I knew it was Rich. I truly believe there is a heightened genetic compassionate response code embedded in all the Heils. And, it spills over onto others. Who else but Rich would have spent 3 hours or more freezing at Fiddler’s Green driving range helping me pick out a set of golf clubs. 🙂 I’m so happy he is your wing man.
What a wonderful tribute to Rich, who has enjoyed your adventures and has always been there for you in the best and in the toughest of times. What a blessing to have a brother as your Best Friend!
Blessed are we to have this man who has touched so many lives, so many times putting so many people first. Mike, he loves you from the depths of his inner soul! May he bring you both comfort and joy as you walk down this path together!
I love that Tribute to Rich. Thank you Mike. Every post, you have a way of opening the heart and bringing tears of love. Love you Mike and Laurie.
As I look down at the stack of chips in front of me they become a bit blurry. The ever present sounds of a Vegas poker room have muted. The words of the last Blog posting are just now setting in….
I rest my poor excuse of a smart phone on the rail and breath deeply. A tear of humility, or perhaps gratitude, is caught by the force of gravity. I have no fear of committing a potential tell. Not even sure if I still have cards?
I look to my sides, then across the table for my familiar Poker Partner, but he’s absent. Unable to run away for a few days to indulge in the forays of the WSOP 2017.
In his place my cousin Paul makes a big bet. Strong move Sven!!
I wander and contemplate the following: Have you ever given a gift ~ and at some point afterwards realize that within the exchange, you in fact are the greater beneficiary?
So No Mikey, Thank You……
We’re All In ~ Together
All I can say is Amen.
Mike – and Rich – you are each SO fortunate to have such a loving and involved brother!
It warms my heart to read about your relationship and its deepening. That which is the most important after all.