Papa Mike
Hi, I’m John McMullen, Michael’s son. What would Michael want me to say? First, that he loves you all–And thank you for being here. If you’ve had a special moment with Mike before or after his passing, I invite you to share it with me and others at the reception. I want to share a few of mine with you now.
As understated as he could sometimes be, in his element Dad could be bold, even fearless. Two years ago, when I discovered critters had chewed the trim of the gables of my very tall two-story home, my Dad was happy to climb the rickety extension ladder to plug the holes. I looked up in awe at him, hoping I wouldn’t have to join him. As you may have heard, he was a bit of a daredevil on the mountain bike. He fell off the side of a trail and mercifully got his arm caught in a bush near the top of the steep embankment, dislocating his shoulder, instead of tumbling to the bottom of the ravine. After rehabbing, he was back on the bike. Much later, he would wash out on a sandy patch of trail going too fast and break 7 ribs. Even that didn’t break his adventurous spirit. After he got out of hospice the first time, he was riding his bike and hiking–mom showed me a picture of Dad scrambling over a large fallen tree trunk. For a man recently on his death bed, it was impressive. Thank you God for giving him that. I could benefit from being a little more like my dad and less like an actuary.
Michael was and is a loving father. In my late teens and early twenties, I lost myself in Massive multiplayer online role-playing games. I was in a stretch of playing Dark Age of Camelot–or was it Asheron’s Call?–all night long and sleeping for a few hours in the morning. My dad caught me one morning. I braced for critical tough talk, but instead of yelling at me he tearfully poured out his heart. I stopped the all-nighters. I know I love my children better because of your example, dad. Thank you for that.
I am encouraged by Saint Paul’s words, “if there is a natural body, there is a spiritual body,” “sown in weakness,” but ” raised in power”
And the words of Jesus, “the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies”
I know you are not in your natural body, but you don’t feel gone to me, dad. I will see you again. I love you.
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