Thursday, July 13
For those family and friends who would like to visit us we welcome you with open arms. I am wearing down physically and it is extremely difficult to plan more than a few hours in advance. That said, we would like to try the following:
– You choose a time to visit, text us an hour or so before and we will let you know if we can make it happen.
– Multiple short visits would be better than singular long ones.
– We are open to any and all topics of discussion, however, please do not ask us: “What can I do for you?” We appreciate the thought, but the reality is you are doing it right now!
– Finally, please spread the word of our situation. We do not want Laurie to have an interaction with friends three months down the line starting with “How is Mike doing?”
Thank you to one and all you – WE LOVE YOU!
Mike,
I just read your posting today that the cancer is spreading quickly, and that you are now very weak and in a Hospice Center. This final step filled my heart with immense sorrow and my eyes with tears of sadness as I remembered my close Friend of so many years…suffering in pain.
Throughout the last 16 months, you and Laurie have faced this disease head on and given it your all. The two of you have been so positive, brave, and so considerate of the feelings of others. I’m so happy that the two of you have been able to get away and spend time together in these final months.
Your life’s Journey over the past 35+ years since I’ve known you has been a remarkable one and touched so very many people—young and old—family and friends.. Your positive and loving attitude towards the lives of those who knew you well has always amazed me. I have been blessed to have known you!
May the Peace of the Lord be with You My Friend as You Continue Your Journey…
Your Spirit Will Live On Forever…
With My Love and Deepest Friendship…
Bill
Dear Mike,
I didn’t know you well. You were always upbeat and friendly whenever I was around you, mainly on the softball field and occasionally at a basketball game.
As a middle school teacher, you made a huge difference in the lives of your students and their parents.
You fought the good and very tough fight. You are truly one of my heroes!
I was happy to see the picture of you and your wonderful family, taken just a week ago
Take care my friend.
Larry
Hi Mike, I can only say we feel exactly like Bill stated above. We’re sorry we didn’t keep in touch but you are a wonderful human being who has clearing had an incredible impact on many other lives!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Laurie and we wish you a peaceful pain free time with your family and loved ones.
Your Spirit Will Live on Forever in those you have touched throughout your life.
Love, Leslie & Mike McLaughlin
I love you Mike and Laurie. It’s true for me too that your spirit will live on forever with us all. Brings comfort to know there is no end. With you always.
Mike,
you are one of only two people in my life that every time and I mean EVER TIME I every time I saw you you always had a smile on your face. The other was my uncle Bob. You two always made me feel happier and better. What a gift. Thank you.
With love….. Jay… Collins cycle
Mike. I can only smile when i think of our every interaction over the years. you brought such joy to laurie — i can still remember when she first told me about your connnection and all the possibilities. what a gift your lives together have been. your way of being with everyone who crossed your path is remarkable … be well my friend and know that you made the world around you a better and richer place with every breath and step along your journey. we love you — bob/deb
Mike,
I just ran into Katie today and she filled me in and told me about this blog. I just read it all, and frankly I’m quite impressed. Not sure if you remember me as I was Rich and Katie’s neighbor for about 5 years in the next house up the hill, but I sure remember you. I obviously offer my condolences and such, but also want to stress my gratitude for such a personal and completely honest account of what you are going through and what you are feeling. It was unbelievable reading this and seeing how goddamn incredible you are about dealing with everything. I gotta say, I’m totally awed and wish you the best and want you to know that you are in my thoughts. You are a mensch! Namaste, -Jared
Mike, Damn…I’ve got to say I’m really, really sad, feeling for both you and Laurie.So many thoughts I can’t put them down.
When I think of you, which is really often, I have lots of great memories, and one I keep coming back to is when you were visiting and we were driving up the hill from the marina. The hill’s a little steep and there was a woman on a bike struggling some. You rolled down the window and yelled out “You go girl “, big smile on your face, just emanating energy and joy, and joy of life. That’s how I think of you my friend.
Captain
Mi amor
It’a strange to be more than a short walk away right now. We were skiing back from that awesome and memorable ceremony at Fawn lake, you were behind me when I tumbled down a little hill. As I lay there looking up at you (no rush to get up! Allons, debout, ne rest de pas de la neige!) you told me how you were already noticing how different and wonderful it was to be MARRIED to Laurie. In that moment I knew we were going to be friends.
Forever and Always,
CoCo
Mike,
I can not say it or shout it loud enough “THANK YOU” “THANK YOU” THANK YOU”….The impact you had and to this day still have on my son Brandon is priceless! My heart along with thousands of others breaks knowing your life is being cut way to short. The peace I have is knowing there is so much more waiting for you ahead and one day you and your beautiful bride will share that amazing place with no time lapse. I will never forget the first time I met you at Cal Young and you had the biggest smile and said ” So your Brandon’s mom?” I knew the tone all to well. At least I thought I did. But you surprised me with a new tone. A tone of LOVE and GENUINE CONCERN for his future.
It started with letting him know you understood how smart he was. You comforted him when his confidence waned, but pushed him to go further than he dreamed he could. The confident child that I thought was lost forever started coming back to me. You did something that I could’ve never done on my own. Again, teachers are powerful. Teachers have the power to make or break a child, and you poured your energy into making life-long learners daily.
Because of you he has the confidence to go into the Air Force and not struggle with self doubt. I am in awe of your heart to care so deeply during those few years with Brandon and even now when he called and wanted to see you before he leaves to basic training. This is me shouting from my metaphorical rooftop, thanking you for bringing my baby back. Thank you!
With Love,
Deborah and Brandon Meas
Mike,
We send you and Laurie much love and caring.
Dave and Dee
Mike and Laurie, together, you have been a light in the realm of relationship … a true inspiration! The beauty of your love has been evident all along, but it has burst through this blog. And this blog has been an enormous gift to us all, full of deep honesty and transparency.
I thank you, Mike, for guiding Jesse and Donovan and taking the prize as “Most Influential Teacher” for both. And I thank you for always having a smile, warm greetings, and curiosity whenever we met. You have done well in this life! I will carry you with me!
With love, Marsha
I love you. You have made me a better person; a more optimistic soul. I wish you and Laurie grace and peace.