I have been away from posting for a couple of weeks and am slow getting back to “life”. I typically do not post personal information or “stuff” here, but am inclined to do so today. If you don’t want to read a personal story, today is not the day to visit my site. Please come back tomorrow!
My last post was before our family vacation to the beach. My immediate family, my brother, his wife and son and my parents have a tradition of going to the beach together every year over the week of July 4th to celebrate together. The last two years had a lapse in the tradition due to my father’s health. We were so excited to get back together this year, even though I know it was bittersweet for my mother, as we would be missing my father.
We had a fabulous week together! We had wonderful weather during the days, delicious meals together in the evenings and such a fun time being together. My brother, Mike, has a boat that he loves. He spent some time each day on the water in his boat, the Sea Possum. He took us over to Cumberland Island one of our days there and we had a lovely day fishing, swimming, finding tons of sandollars and picnicking.
Our week was winding down on Thursday. I made a wonderful (and healthy!) dinner of steamed Alaskan King Crab, lobster and shrimp. My brother made the comment after dinner that “it had been a great day!” I’m so glad it was. We lost my brother that night. My sweet, older brother. Larger than life character. Always smiling. Joking. Always having a story, and boy, telling a story. Making everyone feel good. Never met a stranger. Loyal friend. Hero to my boys. Rock to my mother. Loving husband. Proud father. Brother to my husband. My best friend. As my husband said a week later, during the funeral, Mike got more out of every minute, of every hour, of every day of his life. He truly lived and had fun. What a joy!
Therefore, when I get out of this black hole, I am committed to having fun, living life, making each day count and having a story. As Mike always said, “It’s all about the story”. That will be my tribute.
I hope it will be yours too. Have fun. Have a story and tell a story 🙂
To get an idea of Mike, take a look at Team Possum . . .
(in yellow)
My last post was before our family vacation to the beach. My immediate family, my brother, his wife and son and my parents have a tradition of going to the beach together every year over the week of July 4th to celebrate together. The last two years had a lapse in the tradition due to my father’s health. We were so excited to get back together this year, even though I know it was bittersweet for my mother, as we would be missing my father.
We had a fabulous week together! We had wonderful weather during the days, delicious meals together in the evenings and such a fun time being together. My brother, Mike, has a boat that he loves. He spent some time each day on the water in his boat, the Sea Possum. He took us over to Cumberland Island one of our days there and we had a lovely day fishing, swimming, finding tons of sandollars and picnicking.
Our week was winding down on Thursday. I made a wonderful (and healthy!) dinner of steamed Alaskan King Crab, lobster and shrimp. My brother made the comment after dinner that “it had been a great day!” I’m so glad it was. We lost my brother that night. My sweet, older brother. Larger than life character. Always smiling. Joking. Always having a story, and boy, telling a story. Making everyone feel good. Never met a stranger. Loyal friend. Hero to my boys. Rock to my mother. Loving husband. Proud father. Brother to my husband. My best friend. As my husband said a week later, during the funeral, Mike got more out of every minute, of every hour, of every day of his life. He truly lived and had fun. What a joy!
Therefore, when I get out of this black hole, I am committed to having fun, living life, making each day count and having a story. As Mike always said, “It’s all about the story”. That will be my tribute.
I hope it will be yours too. Have fun. Have a story and tell a story 🙂
To get an idea of Mike, take a look at Team Possum . . .
(in yellow)
Hope you have a fun time today.
Hope you have a story this week. I’d love to hear it . . .
Hope you have a story this week. I’d love to hear it . . .
Marla Deen, I have really been thinking of you since hearing about your brother. I’m so sorry for what you are all going through. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Brandi
Marla, My hearts breaks for your loss. It really reminds us to cherish our time with our loved ones.
Beautifully written!! I am again so sorry for your tragic loss. Been thinking about you.
We have been praying for your family. What a beautiful tribute to your brother.
What a beautiful tribute! I am so sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for you and all of your family.
My heart is breaking for you. Much love to all your family.
Marla – I have been thinking about you and your family. I am so glad you guys were able to spend the 4th together. What you wrote above about your brother is a beautiful tribute. May God continue to watch over your family. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am going to be sure to cherish every moment I have with my family. Denise
Marla – I have been thinking about you and your family. I am so glad you guys were able to spend the 4th together. What you wrote above about your brother is a beautiful tribute. May God continue to watch over your family. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am going to be sure to cherish every moment I have with my family. Denise
Thats exactly the idea! Thanks so much.
I am so sorry for your loss! I am quite sure he was larger than life and will be sorely missed…You and your whole family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Marla,
I was so sorry to hear about your brother Mike. I know how much you have always loved him. He has been a great brother to you and a great force to all if he has left you with that beautiful thought: Have a story. Tell a story.
I have some stories where you make an appearance, and I’m thankful for that. And if you ever need someone to tell you a story, you let me know.
Much love and light to you.
Tommy
Thanks so much, Tommy. So love hearing from you!
Wonderful tribute. Really wonderful. So sad he left too soon. So glad your kids are old enough that they will remember him. Such a loss for your family
Marla Deen,
We are so sorry for your loss. Brothers are special and yours seemed to touch your family and friends in a lot of ways. Thinking of you…
Beth, John, Jack and Will
Beautifully said my friend. Still thinking of you all everyday.
Thank you for the beautiful story about your brother. He sounds like such a great guy. I am so, so sorry for your lose. I guess God takes the great ones to motivate the rest of us. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love the pictures of Mike! I continue to think about you and pray for you every day. I look forward to making stories with you and listening to you tell them.
Marla, I am so sorry to hear about Mike. Mike is my brother, Terry’s age, and that is way to young. Please know that I have had you in my thoughts and certainly in my prayers. Family is SO important! Thanks for sharing.
Tina
Marla-Deen,
What a great uplifting tribute to Mike. I remember meeting him, and hearing about his stories. You are so right about life being short and we are to “live it” – not just exist. I was so reminded of this truth when my dad passed away several years ago. He was also “bigger than life” when it came to stories. I can hardly wait to get to the other side to be entertained by all the fun people! Mike and Dad will be leading the pack I’m sure! Please know that you and your sweet family are in my prayers. I know that this is incredibly hard for you. I pray that God gives you Peace that passes all human understanding…..Much love, Kellie