Mike and I met in June 1990. We got married in June 1991. Mike was diagnosed with ALS in July 1998. Mike died in June 2012. Mike was smart, analytical, methodical, spiritual, my best friend, and he loved me. Even when he could no longer speak, it was in his eyes. To have someone look at you in such a caring and deeply loving way is the greatest gift you could ever receive, and I wish it for you.
I knew one day Mike would have to leave but there was no way I could prepare for it, no matter what I may have thought. He left a hole in my heart. We had spent so much time together just being, breathing, and observing the world around us, that I felt and continue to feel his loss so completely.
Death is not new for me. I lost Nancy (my second mother), Mary (my great grandmother), Donald (my grandfather), Sam (my biological father), Maggie (my walking companion and confidant), Mama Kitty (our first pet and Mike's constant companion), Simba (my sweet Simba), Barbara (my favorite grandma), and finally and by no means the last - Mike.
It has been three months and I am just now able to talk about him and ready to share my journey through grief. I have known for awhile now that I would eventually share this experience. By some turn of fortune and grace I was given the gift of time. Time to grieve. Time to sit and to just be with my grief. I am learning and growing every day through this process and I know Mike would be proud. Proud of me, proud of us all...
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| Mike and Mama Kitty 2001 |
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| Mike in Alice Springs 2002 |
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| Mike and Bert Monroy 2004 |
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Mike 2008
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| Mike and Einstein 2010 |
