Mike taught us much in life as well as in death. As we grieve for our loss, we also rejoice in the hope of the resurrection and the eternal communion of the saints in the age to come. The experiences of these past weeks have given me much to reflect upon.

As some of us gathered to pray around Mike's body and to give his body to God, we shared little stories from Mike's life. We remembered together that all life, every life, is a gift from God, to be cherished and honored, and lived for God's glory. Amidst our grief and tears, there was laughter and thankfulness, marvels on the ways that God had brought Mike into our lives, completely unawares what would lay ahead of us -- for him and us together. We Christians have a word for such experiences that happen through Christ -- we call it "Providence", and the experience of it in our lives, "grace."