A Sentimental Journey...

Last Thursday I was enjoying the beautiful weather here in Seattle, and the company of my friend, we rode her horses. I had a good babysitter, that I knew I could trust with my children's happiness, and could feel comfortable leaving them for the three hours I had planned. It was indeed a good day.

It was also the day that the first boy I ever loved was relieved of the battle he had fought so long and hard. My dear friend Micah passed away in Colorado. After almost 10 long years of fighting a brain injury, seizures and ultimately a rare blood disorder, he left this life and started on his next journey.

I sit with bittersweet feelings as I write this. I feel so deeply for his Mother, Sue, who nursed him and fought so many battles, for so long. For his two girls who have been deprived of him, but not of a father, as other good men have taken that role. For his wife who lost him so shortly after making a family with him. For his brothers, who also sacrificed so much of their lives to be with him, and took some of the nursing responsibilities. For his sister, who labored to give birth only two hours after his death, knowing that he wouldn't meet her new baby in this life. Yet, I think of the hours and days he sat, probably wanting to run, to play, to do anything but sit. Now, he is free do do all those things. No more wheel chair, no more silence, no more dependence on those he loved, and who loved him in return. I have yet to meet a more selfless family. One who could teach the world of what it means to be "functional".

I will miss his smile. I will miss the mischievous sparkle in his blue eyes. I will miss the fact that even though he could no longer communicate with words, I knew that he knew me and was glad to see me. I could always see that he wanted to say "Katie love...what's goin' on?" and then he would just listen. I loved that I could crawl into his bed beside him and tell him all about where I'd been and what I'd seen, and he would listen, and hold my hand and inwardly laugh at my jokes.

I'm sad that I didn't get the chance to say goodbye, I had planned on visiting this summer but, I waited too long. I know that God has a plan for all of us and I will see him again, and then have the chance to tell him how much he meant to me, how much knowing him changed me, and made me who I am and where I am.

I'm grateful for, and love, his family who have allowed me to take a very small part of this journey with them. My prayers are of comfort for them as they make this transition into the next parts of their lives. My hopes are with them also, that they will go forward knowing they did the very best they could for him, and that he is now in the best hands, and will receive the best care.

So on a beautiful day, when the sun shone in Seattle, I lost my friend, and I will miss him.