Remembering Mike

Our dear friend Mike passed away a few days ago. We have known him for 38 years. I have been best friends with with wife Ann for many years. When Ann and Mike discovered Mike had bone cancer nine years ago, we supported them in prayer and encouragement. Now Mike is home in Heaven which we rejoice over, yet we miss him a lot. Mike was a kind, soft spoken, gentle soul. He loved paying his trumpet and coaching basketball. He was one of the best friends you could ever hope for and an amazing husband and father to Ann and their three children. Sara, David and Ben are wonderful young adults who have all decided to find careers in the medical field. The family took in foster children for many years. Because I knew Mike had cancer, I cherished our gatherings even more. We got together with three other couples for many years and had barbecues and potlucks. We shared our lives and our children. We supported one another and loved one another. We will all miss Mike yet he gave us a gift we will never forget...His faith and his love and his friendship.

My Tuna Angel

About six years ago, I was involved in a homeless ministry where we would deliver food plates to those in need late at night. One night I was hungry and knew there were about three hours of service still to be done. A lady in our van had some tuna she wanted to share with everyone, so we took out some celery sticks, crackers and began eating. This was no ordinary tuna!! It was also sweet and cruncy. It was an amazing tuna blended with a special dressing and pecans. It was especially delicious on an empty stomach. I enjoyed it very much and every time I ran into the maker of this wonderful concoction after that, I told her how I never forgot her tuna.

During this past holiday season, life was very busy for all of our family. We were involved in a Church outreach and tying up many loose ends before Christmas. One Sunday morning at Church, I was particularly weary. After the service, I ran into my very own Tuna Angel. She greeted me warmly and told me she had the very same tuna she had made six years ago and she hoped she would see me at church so she could make her angelic delivery! I was really hungry and ate every bit of that tuna! I thanked God sweetly and silently for providing all my needs as I was serving Him.