Mike Freeman

Tomorrow we will memorialize Manuel's friend Mike Freeman after he lost his battle with cancer last week on 9/9/09. Mike had GBM, the most aggresive type of brain cancer. With his fiance Jennifer at his side, Mike underwent various aggressive traditional and experimental treatements but eventually his body just gave in to the disease.

As Jennifer wrote on their caringbrideg site " I was with him at the time (of his passing), and his parents were in the next bedroom. Mike's passing was peaceful for him. He fought so hard, but in the end his body just gave out... Mike knew how much he was loved, guys. Each one of you should find so much peace in that, because you all had part in it. Love, Jenn "

The strength and love the Jennifer has shown for Mike throughout this entire time has been quite a lesson in altruism to me. She stuck by his side through it all and even when she was hurting Jenn still found the srength to reach out to all of his friends and family. She is an angel in her own right.

For those of you who don't know, Manuel and Mike have been freinds since highschool. Mike is the person who most encouraged Manuel to play music and when he was feeling down about his abilities he would encourage him to keep pursuing his dream. There were many times that Mike came to Manuel's rescue and even mine. One example is when I was hugely pregnant and not able to work anymore, Mike found Manuel a job at the brewery he ran so Manuel could make some extra money. The hours were long and heinous, but it made it possible for us to survive!

Tomorrow is also our four year wedding anniversary. It has been no small feat for us to make it this far, but we have did it! I think it is symbolic that 4 years to the day after Mike stood up for Manuel at our wedding, Manuel will stand up for Mike at his memorial service. Mike was a very big part of Manuel's life and part of what brought us together. How many women get to say "My husband plays in a band called Gina Go Faster?" I also believe that what we have seen from Jennifer is a lesson for treating one another with a tenderness and love that knows no boundaties will help build and strenghten our marriage. What Jennifer did for Mike reminds of the poem inside of our wedding program:

Across the years I will walk with you in the deep green forests and shores of sand and when our time on earth is through in heaven too you will have my hand.

-The Promise, Robert Sexton