Bridgwood Belivers... it makes you think

A friend, Mike Bridgwood has been fighting non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is in serious condition. He and his wonderful family needs our prayers and thoughts as they go through this terrible time. It was just over a year ago I lost another dear friend, Mary Conser, after her battle with that horrendous disease.

I guess I felt it while Mary was in the midst of her battle, but it did not manifest itself until I began having conversations with Mike and reading the many journal entries and e-mails we have exchanged. What is really important in life? As sick as Mike was, he tried to take the time every day he could to write to us all in his journal and and by sending personal e-mails. Mike is a devout bible reading Christan that corrected us when we suggest he "keep the faith" during his battle, he would remind us instead to "spread the faith". Mike's words of wisdom were an inspiration to us all... I know I really appreciated him taking the time for "us" and keeping everyone up to date with his journal. He constantly reminded us what was important in life.

We sat at one of Chris's little league games talking. Mike shared his realization of what was important to him. Mike is a believer of... first and foremost, his love and belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.... his belief in family, especially his wife followed closely by his and their children... he believed in praying for others... his belief in doing the right thing... his belief in helping others... his belief in sharing and thanking those that are there for you.... his belief that earthly possessions really mean so little compared to an eternal life with God... his new found belief of not getting stressed over the little things that really don't matter.... his belief we should all be reading the bible and learning from it.... and the hopes that we all become believers.

I think inside we all know that. Unfortunately, we don't take the time to live it, many of us don't. Life should be fun, exciting, loving, friendly and a whole lot more. Mike reminded me of that. Getting there will be the tough part.

We had silicone bracelets made with "Bridgwood Believers" engraved. I haven't taken my bracelet off since the day they arrived. No only was the bracelet a way of providing some financial help to Mike, but it serves as a constant reminder of what a Bridgwood Believer is. What matters in life and what we should focus on. Read Mike journal (the link is at the bottom of the blog page), think about what is important..... forgive, forget and tell someone you love them!