Wayne

We just found out that Cathy's cousin Wayne died this morning.

Wayne was actually a cousin of Cathy's; he and Cathy's dad essentially grew up together. He has always been a favorite of hers. In fact, Mikey's full name is Michael Christopher Wayne Jones. Finding out he is gone is not a surprise, but it is still a shock.

Wayne was a successful businessman, and he was one of the most giving people you could ever meet. He bought the crib that Mikey slept in when he was a baby, and that Hannah sleeps in at my mom's house now. He gave us our second car, the one that I drive to work from time to time (an old car that he had anyway, but his impulse was to give it to someone who needed it instead of having it towed and crushed... and it's run very well ever since). I've never heard anyone in the family say a single negative thing about him. He is greatly loved.

Wayne had some serious health problems. He had a weight problem which he was constantly struggling to get under control, and that led to the usual list of associated health problems, but the thing that finally took his life was cancer. Over a week ago they started talking to hospice people, so it was clear that it was very serious. We did not know that it was going to end this soon.

Wayne knew Jesus. We know that he's not lost to us, and that where he is now there are no weight problems and there is no cancer. We rejoice for that, even though we miss him a lot. Seems like sometimes when we lose someone, things about them come into sharp focus... we realize and understand things about someone that we never understood when they were alive. Sometimes we just never heard the stories. I know that there are some great ones about Wayne, and I hope to get a chance to hear some of them in the coming days.

Love ya, Wayne. I look forward to seeing you again one day!