Friday, July 7
Normally it is the long-winded, nostalgic Rich who gives the family toast. Recently it has been the young, emotional Orion. As our family reunion draws to an end, I would like to take this honor.
This toast will not be about me but us!
We all know that Mike is sick and getting sicker by the day. Sad but true! There is nothing we can say nor do that will change this reality. I ask that you take time and simply accept this in your heart and make peace with it. This would make Laurie and I both immeasurably happy.
We are not the perfect family, but to me we are the most incredible, giving, caring, blessed and loving family and I would certainly not trade this for anything else in the entire world. Spending quality, intimate time with my family is the absolute best gift I could wish for! May this week be the first in a line for Laurie and I to continue to spend time in any shape or form with all of you!
So I now ask that we raise our glasses in a toast to our beautiful family. You all give us the strength and courage to move through this most difficult time. Salute!
I lift my glass to salute to you. You are a very thoughtful and fun person. You left wonderful impressions on people. Your students loved you and your friends and family love you and think very highly of you. Sometimes you tease your mother-in-law but that’s the fun in you. I’ve seen you with young children playing and they love you for it. Mostly what warms my heart is the love and affection you show for Laurie. Not many people have a warm marriage as the two of you have. How can anybody not love you? You will be thought of often and always with a smile to have known you.
Again I lift my glass to salute you
With all my love my son
From your mother-in-law
I also salute you Michael!
While it only might have been a few years in the early 80s and 24 hours this past June that I base my perspective, I know without a doubt that no one that I know has ever lived life any fuller than Mike Heil! The indelible impression that you have left on my life continues to manifest itself. You don’t know the the number of Mike Heil stories that I have told my students and friends. And each time I tell them the enthusiasm that you have had for life oozes out of my pores. I get tired trying to imagine myself living 5 minutes in your shoes. Sincerely, Mike, you do not know how blessed I feel to have gotten the chance to “kind of” get to know you. And your blogs, and the comments from others on your blogs, only reiterate that I’m probably understating the obvious for many others as well. I pray for the same peace that you speak of for you, Laurie, Rich, Kay and the rest of your family and many loved ones.
I am SO glad that you and Laurie feel encircled by the love of both your “family of birth” and your “family of choice”. Our arms are among them.
Cheers from an old friend to you and Laurie!
What a journey you have been on for the past year. The ups and downs from of all the treatments and drugs are indeed like a wild ride on a roller coaster or perhaps in your case, more like a wild ride down on a bike down a steep mountain trail. But you always have had each other and what a comfort that must be for both or you.
When I was in church yesterday, I said a special prayer for both of you and when we sang the old hymn “Be Not Afraid” my eyes filled with tears as I prayed that both of you find peace.
I also remember an old proverb that says that for true happiness and fulfillment in life, one must live for today–not in the past or in the future, but now…in the present. And from your postings, it sounds like the two of you are doing just that.
With all my love–always,
Bill
Mike and Laurie, I’ve stayed mostly in the shadows as you have gone through this challenging and yet expanding time. Know, that I have been witness to the beauty, courage, love, and hope that you have shared here throughout this journey. It has been an empowering gift, rich in honesty, depth. Sending you all my love! Marsha