I lost a friend this week. The world lost a friend. By world, I mean anyone who ever met, worked with, chatted with, or had the privilege of knowing Michael. Michael was a friend…to all.  

I’ve thought a lot about what the loss of Michael means. To me. His wife. His family and friends. His community. With him gone from this world, there seems to be less love, less joy, and less passion in it. That may seem like hyperbole, but I’m not sure it is. Michael was one of the good guys. He represents all that is the best in humanity.   

I always admired his passion. For sports. For conversation. For his wife, family, and friends. And for Jesus. Michael unashamedly loved Jesus. And he showed the love of Jesus to any and all he encountered.  

Michael wasn’t perfect and he didn’t have a perfect life. He faced challenges, struggles, and loss just like the rest of us. For example, I recently posted this question on social media: “What is your biggest regret in life?” Michael responded: “Not sharing myself with others enough growing up. I let doubt creep into my heart about who I was.”

So much introspection and self-awareness in a two simple sentences. It’s so interesting that his biggest regret was not sharing himself with others growing up, because this is the same man that I and anyone who met him called friend. To know him was to know kindness, and love, and acceptance. Him being vulnerable enough to share this struggle on social media made the beauty of his friendship all that much greater.  

Michael went on to say there was a specific story behind his comment he would share in the future. I looked forward to hearing the rest his story. But now, he’s gone.  

Which brings me to the first of a few things I’ve been dwelling on while trying to process the loss of my friend: be intentional in your relationships. 

If you feel the need to tell some one you love them or appreciate them, don’t hesitate. Pick up the phone and call them. Knock on their door. Walk across the room. Life gives us a finite number of interactions with loved ones, friends, and strangers. It is our responsibility to take full advantage of each and every one of them. Because we don’t know which one will be the last one. 

Carpe diem. I’m not sure Michael used this phrase frequently, but I think of it when I think of him. Michael loved sports. When he encountered the opportunity to discuss sports with anyone, he was always studied up and ready to contribute to the conversation. He loved Vinson, and Marshall, and of course, his Colorado Rockies! When he found the love of his life, Catherine, he left his family and community to go to Colorado to marry her! When he had the dream of someday visiting Hawaii, he made it happen. And then happen again and again and again.  

Michael loved Jesus. He shared the truth of the Gospel and the love of Christ openly and freely. Never a zealot. Never overbearing. But always consistent. Since the early days of our friendship in middle school and high school, I always admired this about him.

There’s so much more I could say about Michael. But, I think Michael’s friend Lori summed it up the best. She recently said, “When I think of Michael, I think of all the good things.”

Enjoy heaven, my friend, and know you are dearly missed here on earth.