Julie Sveen sent me a very nice email about the last day Mike was alive and news of the funeral. Since I was unable to get there myself, I really appreciated the information. I’ve edited it a little, but I though you all would like to know some of this.
Jim
I have had every intention to call you and just have not had the energy to get that done along with all the things that I have to do here to try and get things in order! I just have been reeling with all that has to be done to put order to all the things that Mike and I thought we had taken care of only now to find out that we didn’t really have the tip of the iceberg done. I have so much paperwork to do and than there is the bills that I can’t even pay because the money is in his account and it only had his name on it so that I have to wait 30 days before I can get to it! We thought we had this covered when we did his will and had me as power of attorney only to find out that is only good until the person dies. So that just opened a whole new can of worms. Plus trying to find all the important papers like the title to the van, the deed to the house ect…But it is starting to come together slowly but surely. I have gotten memorials that have just about covered the funeral, but still owe a lot. So I have to transfer the loan on the van into my name(he had it in his name only, because at tax time we were going to get another vehicle and put it in my name to get me some credit) but the Lord called him home first. So I have to rework the loan on the van and we are just going to add the last to the funeral into it so that I can take care of that and it will be done. We received some in memorials, but there was no life insurance so it is all coming from the memorials and than what I can do.
I just want you to know that, he knew that you tried to get there and you are not to worry about that and beat yourself up for not being able to get here. He would be so upset if he knew that you were doing this. I also want to let you know that he did NOT struggle when the time came! I woke the girls and let them know that he was passing across and told them they needed to give him a final love and let go, Jo cried and said she just couldn’t and I just told her for her sake and his she had to or she would beat herself up later and she reached over kissed him, gave him a hug and told him to go home and rest. She flew out of the room, and than Kitty did the same, so the last was just Mike and I and I just told him that I loved him forever and always, he exhaled and crossed! Jim, it was sweet and heartbreaking all in one! But the neat thing is that he walked with God all the time and back when we went for our patriarchal blessings his told him that his time would be sweet and there would be no pain…and there wasn’t! What a blessing! I know this is hard for you to read, but I just know that he would want you to know and that you where there with us in spirit. That means the world to all of us! We now have to try and carry on the best that we can and start this new journey that has him on the other side, but he is watching us and he is busy at the Lord’s work there too! Just as he did in this life, he will be diligent there as well. He will always be close to us in our hearts and Mike’s candle is one that can not be put out. He would not be hidden under a bushel basket for he would burn the basket and shine forth even brighter than before. His is a legacy of love of family, a smile for everyone that crossed his path and he always had time to stop and talk to everyone about anything! This is a legacy that will be here for all time, it is not something that will end just because he is no longer here, but will live on in all those he touched.
Just to show how many he touched, when the funeral was done and we were taking to place him in the hearst, we stepped outside of the stake center and there was channels 47 and 10 filming! He made the news on Fox and KTTC. The jest of the memorial was a familiar voice was laid to rest and though he lost his battle with cancer he will forever be remembered for his 30+ years in radio and for the city council and all those that knew him would miss him and his smile! Now if that doesn’t sound like Mike, well I don’t know what does, and what a tribute! I never dreamed in a million years that he would make the news.
Part of me is glad that he is no longer suffering but part of me feels guilty for feeling relief that it is over. I miss him terrible, it just is so darn quiet here in the house when the girls are gone! He isn’t picking on me and calling me “squishy”! Who would have ever thought that I would miss that! I have not really been sleeping well because he isn’t there, the girls are actually doing better than I thought they would. We have only had a couple of break downs, but that is to be expected. I think they are holding it together much better than I am, but they always have. I just want you to know that even though you and Mike were best friends that I considered you as part of the family and expect you to keep in touch and we need to work out a way to get the two families together. I know that it will take me awhile to pull everything together but I plan on get there or getting you here so that we can celebrate Mike’s life. That is what he would have wanted, not for us to morne for a long time but to celebrate him. He is free and he is whole again! That is what we need to hang on to. Please keep in touch and don’t be a stranger, I love you like a brother! I will be reading your blog, I just need some time to readjust myself to this new roll as a widow and single mom. I never dreamed that I would be a single mother again, but I did it once before and I know that I can do it again, this time I just have more help from the other side is all.
Jim and Barb, know that we love you and we will always be here for you. We have decided to stay here in Southern Minnesota until Kitty graduates due to the fact that she has some really amazing teachers that are honing her talents in the art and musical fields! I just don’t think I could find them anywhere else! I love you both and miss you too. God bless you both and just know that you are in our prayers.
Love always
Julie and girls
That is a beautiful letter Dad. Tell Julie we love her and are thinking about her and the girls. I would love to send a little note her way. Could you email me her address?
I love the fact that Mike was so well known in the community with the news stations there to capture the celebration of his life. It sounds like everyone suffered a great loss.
Love you,
Kristy