How will I remember Mike? He was fun, very, very funny; did great impersonations of my grandma Phyllis, loved sports and was a high school referee for years, loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Braves; loved to eat; loved to cook - according to my mom "He was juicing things before juicing was cool"; and people naturally liked to be around Mike. I always thought of Mike as the "cool uncle" - he didn't care about me misbehaving or getting out of line- he actually enjoyed it. I saw how people laughed at Mike's jokes...and knew that I wanted a sense of humor. I'm not nearly as funny as Mike was, but I'd like to think that I got a little sense of humor from him. It's funny, isn't it? Sometimes you don't know the impression you leave on people or what people see and hear from you....I wish I would have told him that I loved his wit and funny remarks....he made them with such ease.
A couple of memories: When we were in Spirit Lake, he opened my mom and dad's bedroom door and farted and then waved the door back and forth. He laughed sooooo hard and I thought it was the funniest thing I ever saw....he made farting funny for me (it's probably not the memory he wanted to leave with me in retrospect). I also remember him getting Jeff a bunch of loud toy guns or loud toys one Christmas and teasing my dad....they were really annoying toys and Mike was so proud that he provided endless hours of discomfort for my dad. I also used to walk over to my Uncle Mike's house in between high school games - they lived right by the school. And, when my dad was in the hospital for his farming accident with his eyes....Mike was the one who told me about that and I remember him being scared I was going to cry. He only had one son....I think the thought of a young girl in his house crying might have freaked him out a little.
Mike had his daily struggles though. He is now free of the Earthly problems he had here, and instead is enjoying heavenly bliss. It gives me comfort, but does not give me relief. I miss him and the man that I knew he could be.
He leaves behind my cousin and only son, Jon; a daughter-in-law, Kim; and my three little cousins, Reagan, Kamryn and Kason. Mike took so much pride in Jon- maybe he didn't say it often, but I know he felt it. Jon was, and is, the thing that Mike did the best in his life. He made Jon - and that is the best thing he left behind him. As an only son, I feel for Jon...having siblings to lean on in difficult times is such a blessing. But, that's why cousins are so important. After the visitation, my cousins and I all sat around at my parents and we were up laughing, telling stories, making fun of Jenny, and it felt good. Mike would be glad we were together, and laughing.
I always told Mike I loved him when I saw him. I always hugged him goodbye. Always. He knew how much I loved him. And, I knew he loved me. I will always have that.
Much love Uncle Mike. Until we meet again. XOXO, Your niece
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