Thank you my friend :( He was a great man. He has left a huge hole, but we find comfort in knowing he knew Jesus. As I drove away Wednesday evening looking at the grand snow-capped mountains, glowing pink, seeing Mike from the early days until now, the good, strong brother, the helper, the guy everyone loved, it hit so hard how many people will miss him. The construction field alone is huge, but very small. He knew so many people in the field. John’s phone has rang nonstop. I met him 42 years ago in Mount Baldy. He and his brothers started their life there and he moved back. That whole mountain knows him. He fought the Bridge fire. He was strong and fierce. Just rode his bike from the village to the ski lifts on Monday. Told his family he never felt so good. It’s stunning and crushing. Prayer is what we are being called to all day. Praying against this relentless enemy that wreaks havoc over lives. I know God has a plan for us - but it feels so so sad right now in our country and our world and we’re barely leaving January :( Love you. ox
Such an unexpected loss of a dear and loved family member. May he rest in peace. Sending love and condolences to his close family and praying they will, in time, find comfort in their treasured memories of their loved one.
Dear Mama, we are so so very sad. It’s hard to talk without tears. I guess God’s timing with going through treasures was meant to be. I have Mike’s 50th birthday on film that I shot, and just scattered images of his smile. Always a smile. We celebrated him at 70 at our home. I see him everywhere. A big hole in our hearts. I love you. ox
Thank you dear Ken :( Just doing this brings tears. There is a feeling of peace that our brother knew God and a feeling of sheer heartache. He was everywhere in our life together. 42 years for me and a lifetime for my John. I really appreciate you. ox
Deborah, I'm so glad you took the time to write. It can be the hardest thing or the easiest thing to write amidst grief- sometimes it stops us all up, or it releases like a floodgate everything being hemmed in. Either way, this was a lovely ode to a man who clearly meant something very dear to very many. Thanks for the hello and goodbye, on behalf of those of us who won't get a chance to know him. Many blessings on you and yours. Keep writing- you are a salve and a beacon.
Oh Krissy, my heart was beating so fast and the words were there like I needed to say this. As I drove down the mountain Wednesday night all I could do was stare at the ominous snowcaps painted pink. I felt frozen, full of memories and devastated for our family. Those hills were on fire in October and I could see my brother-in-law in the firefight (in my mind) of his life. He, a friend and his son saved their block. He had just borrowed our little utility trailer on Monday to keep helping neighbors clean up their yards. He was an incredible servant of God. A good man. He ran the race well. Big tears typing this. Thank you for your big heart in this. I have grown to believe that it's okay to "do who we are" in all seasons, listening, discerning His voice and offering these gifts back to Him. Sending you much love. ox
Whew. Getting a little teary-hearted as well over here. I understand that impromptu devastation, that breath leaving the lungs in the wake of such surprise. Death is a stranger, quiet and sneaky in step. It is absolutely okay, even destined, for us to do and be who we are in whatever season we find ourselves in. That's growth, adaptation, to a tricky earthly existence. And there is grace in it all! Hallelujah! Sending love right back to you, friend. <3
I'm so sorry to hear this Deb. My heart hurts for you. Your words are so beautiful and painful. If any comfort is found, it's that he loved Jesus. You'll see him again.
Dear Karen, the pain of this is softened by knowing Mike knew Jesus - but the fact that he was one of those people that everyone knew and adored - makes it so real. The hole is wide and deep. We will see him again. Right now prayer is what all of us are being called to do. All day. Making the day a prayer. Binding the enemy. So many are leaving us and tragedies seem one after another. The enemy is relentless. Thank you for writing to me. John needs a lot of prayer. Mike was his best friend too. I am shedding a few tears telling you that he told me "I tried to be like him and I think I fell short. I loved and admired him very much." I know he did not fall short. John is the baby of the family and Mike, the oldest (by 9 years) gave John his shot at being an electrician.
I know you know all of this pain. Losing loved ones is never easy. Love you all. ox
I'm sorry, Deborah. My heart hurts for your family and so many who have lost their loved ones so suddenly in the airplane/copter crash. What a blessing to have had your brother-in-law in your family.
Dear Joan, thank you so much. I know your beautiful heart feels all the pain of this world. The blessing in this is Mike knew Jesus. But you know the hole of the heart deeply and we are feeling it. Especially my John. Mike was his best friend. The one he looked up to. The one who gave his baby brother a chance to become an electrician. The one who was there for his family. The smiley face at all the birthday parties. The best grandpa in the world. He set the bar high. Sending you much love. I appreciate you friend. ox
He is truly the Rock. The wings we hide under. The cocoon we climb in where we find rest. Thank you friend. We are comforted in knowing Mike knew Jesus — but the hole is deep and wide. He was the guy that everyone loved. A great servant, loving husband, incredible grandpa. I so appreciate the love Jody. ox
Oh Julie. Words can’t express how much this hurts. Thank you for your friendship here. We are seeing Mike in everything and everywhere. The treasure box I had opened last week was full of “the old days” and there he is. He was John’s best friend. The baby brother that admired his older brother. They had breakfast every week. Everyone knew and loved Mike. The construction field is large, but small. Mike set the bar for many of us. A great man. A helper. Love you and hope you are doing okay. ox
Thank you my dear friend. We are devastated, yet comforted that Mike knew Jesus. 71 was too young for a guy that just rode his bike from Baldy Village to the ski lifts on Monday. As I’ve mentioned in comments, and you know this from your own life,.. construction is a large world, but it’s very small. So many people knew Mike and worked with him. He was such a great guy and an amazing servant. John admired him sooooo much. Mike gave his baby brother the start as an electrician. Oh my, my tears are big. Thank you for your prayers. I know you know. Sending you much love. ox
Thank you my friend. We are so so sad, but comforted that Mike knew Jesus. Mike is written all over that beautiful mountain and he’s known all over the construction field. It’s a painful loss for so many. His little granddaughters need a lot of prayer. All three are older than seven by a few years gap. Every single day after Mike retired, he walked down to their house, made them breakfast and took them to school and then picked them up and took care of them, until our niece, the school principal, could be there and our nephew could get home (another electrician, working out of our shop). The hole is huge Jannette and it’s barely hit us. Thank you so much for your prayers. ox
I’m so very sorry to hear about your family’s loss of a brother. Sending you much love and empathy Deborah to you and your family.
You’ve beautifully honored him through your poetic tribute. May he rest in peaceful harmony among the angels watching over us from the stars✨💜🙏
Thank you my friend :( He was a great man. He has left a huge hole, but we find comfort in knowing he knew Jesus. As I drove away Wednesday evening looking at the grand snow-capped mountains, glowing pink, seeing Mike from the early days until now, the good, strong brother, the helper, the guy everyone loved, it hit so hard how many people will miss him. The construction field alone is huge, but very small. He knew so many people in the field. John’s phone has rang nonstop. I met him 42 years ago in Mount Baldy. He and his brothers started their life there and he moved back. That whole mountain knows him. He fought the Bridge fire. He was strong and fierce. Just rode his bike from the village to the ski lifts on Monday. Told his family he never felt so good. It’s stunning and crushing. Prayer is what we are being called to all day. Praying against this relentless enemy that wreaks havoc over lives. I know God has a plan for us - but it feels so so sad right now in our country and our world and we’re barely leaving January :( Love you. ox
So sorry to hear of your great loss, our prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you dear Martin :( He loved Jesus, so that is a comfort - but we are so sad. ox
I’m so sorry. 😞
Thank you Hannah :( My heart is so sore for our family. I appreciate you. ox
Such an unexpected loss of a dear and loved family member. May he rest in peace. Sending love and condolences to his close family and praying they will, in time, find comfort in their treasured memories of their loved one.
Dear Mama, we are so so very sad. It’s hard to talk without tears. I guess God’s timing with going through treasures was meant to be. I have Mike’s 50th birthday on film that I shot, and just scattered images of his smile. Always a smile. We celebrated him at 70 at our home. I see him everywhere. A big hole in our hearts. I love you. ox
A wonderful tribute. Please accept my condolences
Thank you dear Ken :( Just doing this brings tears. There is a feeling of peace that our brother knew God and a feeling of sheer heartache. He was everywhere in our life together. 42 years for me and a lifetime for my John. I really appreciate you. ox
Deborah, I'm so glad you took the time to write. It can be the hardest thing or the easiest thing to write amidst grief- sometimes it stops us all up, or it releases like a floodgate everything being hemmed in. Either way, this was a lovely ode to a man who clearly meant something very dear to very many. Thanks for the hello and goodbye, on behalf of those of us who won't get a chance to know him. Many blessings on you and yours. Keep writing- you are a salve and a beacon.
Oh Krissy, my heart was beating so fast and the words were there like I needed to say this. As I drove down the mountain Wednesday night all I could do was stare at the ominous snowcaps painted pink. I felt frozen, full of memories and devastated for our family. Those hills were on fire in October and I could see my brother-in-law in the firefight (in my mind) of his life. He, a friend and his son saved their block. He had just borrowed our little utility trailer on Monday to keep helping neighbors clean up their yards. He was an incredible servant of God. A good man. He ran the race well. Big tears typing this. Thank you for your big heart in this. I have grown to believe that it's okay to "do who we are" in all seasons, listening, discerning His voice and offering these gifts back to Him. Sending you much love. ox
Whew. Getting a little teary-hearted as well over here. I understand that impromptu devastation, that breath leaving the lungs in the wake of such surprise. Death is a stranger, quiet and sneaky in step. It is absolutely okay, even destined, for us to do and be who we are in whatever season we find ourselves in. That's growth, adaptation, to a tricky earthly existence. And there is grace in it all! Hallelujah! Sending love right back to you, friend. <3
I'm so sorry to hear this Deb. My heart hurts for you. Your words are so beautiful and painful. If any comfort is found, it's that he loved Jesus. You'll see him again.
Dear Karen, the pain of this is softened by knowing Mike knew Jesus - but the fact that he was one of those people that everyone knew and adored - makes it so real. The hole is wide and deep. We will see him again. Right now prayer is what all of us are being called to do. All day. Making the day a prayer. Binding the enemy. So many are leaving us and tragedies seem one after another. The enemy is relentless. Thank you for writing to me. John needs a lot of prayer. Mike was his best friend too. I am shedding a few tears telling you that he told me "I tried to be like him and I think I fell short. I loved and admired him very much." I know he did not fall short. John is the baby of the family and Mike, the oldest (by 9 years) gave John his shot at being an electrician.
I know you know all of this pain. Losing loved ones is never easy. Love you all. ox
Sorry for your loss.
Thank you so very much Joel :( It hurts bad, but we find comfort in knowing he knew Jesus. I really appreciate you. ox
I'm sorry, Deborah. My heart hurts for your family and so many who have lost their loved ones so suddenly in the airplane/copter crash. What a blessing to have had your brother-in-law in your family.
Dear Joan, thank you so much. I know your beautiful heart feels all the pain of this world. The blessing in this is Mike knew Jesus. But you know the hole of the heart deeply and we are feeling it. Especially my John. Mike was his best friend. The one he looked up to. The one who gave his baby brother a chance to become an electrician. The one who was there for his family. The smiley face at all the birthday parties. The best grandpa in the world. He set the bar high. Sending you much love. I appreciate you friend. ox
"God is sovereign and He is on the move." May he comfort you all with his tangible presence, Deb. xo
He is truly the Rock. The wings we hide under. The cocoon we climb in where we find rest. Thank you friend. We are comforted in knowing Mike knew Jesus — but the hole is deep and wide. He was the guy that everyone loved. A great servant, loving husband, incredible grandpa. I so appreciate the love Jody. ox
Bless you lovely. Sending love and strength your way. Celebrate his life and all he meant to you xx
Oh Julie. Words can’t express how much this hurts. Thank you for your friendship here. We are seeing Mike in everything and everywhere. The treasure box I had opened last week was full of “the old days” and there he is. He was John’s best friend. The baby brother that admired his older brother. They had breakfast every week. Everyone knew and loved Mike. The construction field is large, but small. Mike set the bar for many of us. A great man. A helper. Love you and hope you are doing okay. ox
Sooooo sorry for your loss! Praying hard for you guys - take care, be strong!
Thank you my dear friend. We are devastated, yet comforted that Mike knew Jesus. 71 was too young for a guy that just rode his bike from Baldy Village to the ski lifts on Monday. As I’ve mentioned in comments, and you know this from your own life,.. construction is a large world, but it’s very small. So many people knew Mike and worked with him. He was such a great guy and an amazing servant. John admired him sooooo much. Mike gave his baby brother the start as an electrician. Oh my, my tears are big. Thank you for your prayers. I know you know. Sending you much love. ox
May the Lord continue to comfort and carry your grieving hearts. Mt Baldy is one of my favorite mountains to gaze upon!
Thank you my friend. We are so so sad, but comforted that Mike knew Jesus. Mike is written all over that beautiful mountain and he’s known all over the construction field. It’s a painful loss for so many. His little granddaughters need a lot of prayer. All three are older than seven by a few years gap. Every single day after Mike retired, he walked down to their house, made them breakfast and took them to school and then picked them up and took care of them, until our niece, the school principal, could be there and our nephew could get home (another electrician, working out of our shop). The hole is huge Jannette and it’s barely hit us. Thank you so much for your prayers. ox
Lord please comfort Mikes grandkids. Help them to heal from this great loss.