greetings from paradise

Kaua’i is known as the garden island for a reason…it is lush with wildlife, land so beautiful that the rich purchase thousands of acres to protect what we on the mainland would so easily destroy, majestic coastlines and the seduction of the aloha lifestyle.  If it made any sense, I would move my family here in a heartbeat.

The day before Bobby and I left for this trip, we learned that our dear friend Jeff Gregory lost his son on the 28th of January.   Once in the hospital, the doctors told the family that he would probably not survive and within 72 hours, he was gone.   It seems not too long ago that the doctors told us not to get our hopes up and asking about organ donation.  During those critical hours, the wait as life slips away from your child is a feeling that is a black tattoo on your soul, it never goes away.  If it is in God’s plan that life continues for your child, your tattoo is given the color of complete and utter thankfulness.  For Jeff and his family their tattoo is without color and ends with the task of learning to cope.  Learning to live with the loss of their child and learning to thank God for the memories of this life on earth.  

While touring the Hawaiian countryside, we received a phone call with the news that our friend Bill Fernatt lost his battle with prostate cancer.  Bill was a fighter.  A “tough guy” I say with a smile, well respected, loved and admired by his peers but a family man first and foremost.  His strength was outwardly obvious but for those that really knew him, knew a gentle man with a huge heart.  Bill’s strength, his fantastic sense of humor, his kind heart and his beautiful smile will be missed.  Both Bobby and I worked, played, loved and laughed through many years with this gentle giant…thanks for the memories Bill.   To Bill’s family and friends, we we send our heartfelt condolences from Hawaii and hope that God is with each and every one of you.  We pray that you will find strength in God’s loving arms and that his love will carry you through.  

What does any of this have to do with Michael and why am I taking the time to tell you about these two lives that are no longer with us?  I don’t know why Michael’s life was spared, or why his recovery is boggling to the mind but I do know that prior to the accident, Michael had no idea how valuable his life was.  How valuable it was to me, to you, to God or to himself.  We don’t think about how we touch people’s lives.  We don’t think what life would be like for someone else if we weren’t there to pick up the phone, to watch a TV show together, to share a meal together, to talk politics, to laugh, to cry or just share the same quite space.   But we should. 

We all have value.  We all mean something to someone and when you don’t realize the value you have on this earth, you make careless decisions, you don’t help others when they need but can’t or won’t ask for help.  When I thought I would lose Michael, when I thought I would never hear his voice again or  hear him laugh again, I know that he did not realize the value he had on this earth…to me, to you.  

I still thank God every day for life’s blessings.  I thank God for every breath Michael takes and pray for healing as he continues each step toward recovery.  It could have been so different.  

LIVESTRONG Michael

xxoo