Endings

Yesterday was a special day for me.  Mike was pretty alert yesterday morning when I got to the hospital, and everyone else headed out at one point, so I took the opportunity to say some things that had been going on.  I was able to tell Mike about his friend who had gone home a changed person after spending time with him.  His friend had told me "Mike changed my life."  So I passed that on to him.  He was proud, I could see that much in his eyes.  He said something to the effect that "I can't believe someone would change their life because of me."  But Mike had always wanted good to come out of this.  So then I told him about the blog, and the tons of emails I've been getting from it.  Mike doesn't know what a blog is, so I explained that there were a lot of people being impacted by his story, just like he'd told me he wanted to be able to do months ago.   He kind of tightened his lips and nodded his head.  It was a good thing.   I wasn't sure he'd even remember it after the next round of pain medication, but when he came around a bit later, he kept trying to tell Jen something.  It was very hard to make out his words, but eventually I realized that he was asking me to tell Jen about the blog and the story.  He was so proud to be making a difference.  He was always too humble and stubborn to see the good he'd done. 

They got him home, into his own bed last night. That's what he wanted.  I think he was hanging on until he got there honestly.  And so sometime during dark hours of the night last night, heaven got one of it's brightest lights.  My friend, my brother, my mentor and so many times my idol.  Michael James Renault got to see the face of God.

He told David, Michelle and Tom when they left on Friday night that, "Next time you see me, I'll be good as new."  Amen brother, Amen.

Comments

[Betsy Houston]

This is an amazing blog. Not only does it keep those of us that lost touch with Mike after high school up to date, but it is such a witness of the powerful work of our Lord. Mike has been made whole again, never again to suffer. My prayer is that the Lord will wrap all of you in his outstretched arms and hold you tightly in the days ahead. Thank you for putting your feelings in a blog for all to read and sympathize with. God Bless!

[Holly J]

Oh, Jason. I am just sobbing for you reading this. What a beautiful way you have with words. I am truly so sorry for your loss. I know heaven is rejoicing at recieving such a wonderful new member of their "crowd". God bless you and your entire family at this most dificult time. Your brother DID make a difference in people's lives....even ones who never had the pleasure of meeting him!

[Christina Rogero]

Jason,
My heart goes out to you and your family.. though I did not know Mike, your story about him is inspiring. My prayer for you and your family is that you find comfort and strength from precious memories of Mike.

[Peterson Family]

Jason,
We were so saddened to hear about your brother! Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

[Bill Cater]

Jason, it's been a long time since I've seen Mike but I have many great memories. As I was reading this I could almost see his face as you told him about the blog. And your right, the reality is, Mike is doing things right now that the rest of us can't even imagin. Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys.

[Robert Sims]

Jason,
I know that nothing I say, nothing anyone says, can change what you must be feeling right now. But know that you are loved. My sincerest condolences go out to you and your family. As always, if there is anything you need at all, I am here for you. Anything.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you,
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and grant you peace.

I love you man.

-Robby

[Maureen E. Haugen]

Jason,
We are truly sorry for your loss. I never met Mike, but you telling us his story is such an ispiration. Mike's family needs to know how he touched so many lives in so many ways. My prayers for you and your family is that you find comfort and strength as the days go one.

Grace and Peace,

Jim, Maureen, Brittany and Austin

[Linda Davis]

God answered Mike's prayer to be a witness and hero to many. God comfort you and your family. Even though it is heart breaking for those left behind, rejoice in the life Mike lived. Celebrate the memories and keep him alive for his baby. Bod bless and keep you all in his arms of love and never ending grace. Love, Linda M Davis

[Kelly Gibbons]

Jason-
Mike was a very special person to me, one of my best friends in high school and college. I have so many great memories of him. After my divorce from Tom, Mike and I lost touch, but I always thought about him and his family, and how they were doing. I often thought about calling him up, but my life would get hectic and I didn't find the time to do so. I so wish I had told him just how much I loved him and appreciated his friendship. I am keeping you and yours in my thoughts and I pray that you will find comfort and peace.

Kelly Gibbons

[Nancy Harris]

Jason,
Your blog has really touched alot of lives. I have always loved Mike and today as sad as I felt. I was driving down the road and a smile came over my face and I said out loud that Mike was in the presence of the Lord . Mike always underestimated the man he was. He left this earth changing so many lives. His mission was completed. All of you are in my prayers. I know that all of you are going to miss him but what a feeling to know that he is in heaven good as new.
Much love to each of you.
Nancy and Milton

[Sherry Hamilton]

Dear Jason and Renault Family,
I cried as soon as Chris told me this morning, but through the tears I was praising God for a quick and as pain-free as possible death. I did not want him to linger for the sake of the memories of his little children. Thank you for your blog as it has given John and I insights into Mike, the man, as we remember him most as the teenager and young adult. I emailed Kelly, and of course, she is hurt deeply for Jennifer having walked this hard, hard road herself. Then I emailed Andrew, in his last few months of graduate school in Chicago. I remembered for him in my words how the "boys", Chris, David and Mike, were all about to turn 16 when your family moved into our neighborhood and your Dad came to minister to our family. Andrew was about to be 3. I can hear Mike's booming voice in my head as he would look at Andrew and say "Is the 'runt' coming with us?" Chris (Bubba) would say "Yup", and someone would scoop him up and off they would go. I'm glad Mike found himself as he matured, and the thing you said about him that meant the most to me was that you would describe your brother as "contented". That he loved his family, his work and his life. Not many people ever find true contentment. Mike shared with me via email his faith renewal and his commitment to give God the praise and honor no matter how this went. He will have impacted lives that he, or you, will never know about. But, God will know. Thank you for sharing your brother with us, and thank you for not mincing words to describe your pain, grief and love.
Close because of Christ,
Sherry and John Hamilton

[Dennis Blankinchip]

Jason,

I spoke with Mike during his battle and he always sounded the same (strong and positive)! What a powerful message he preached and what a powerful way to describe it (Mike just got to see the face of God)! What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see. Our prayers are with you and the family.

Dennis Blankinchip

[Lee Estrella]

Jason,
I am so deeply saddened to hear of Mike's passing. There are no words, that I can offer to dull your family's pain. But there is the truth that Mike is with God, and no longer suffering. Thank you for your candor, for this window into your life, for your perspective. I have so many fond memeories of you and Mike from Terry Parker; it is difficult to imagine him any other way. He was always intense, but you could see the seeds of the man he would become. To know he left this life loved and respected by so many is a credit to his character. I remember the forgiveness ceremony that Mike started at Fort Walton Beach: I remember its poignancy, its power...what it took to hand that cup to another. Mike illustrated for us then what could happen in surrendering yourself, in letting go and letting God. He was truly God's hand at work then, as he has no doubt been now. My heart brakes for his family, his wife and children. Never let his children forget the brave soul that was their father.
Lee Estrella (Scott)

[Mary Gayle (Reams) Alcorn]

Jason,
This is a beautiful tribute to a brother. My heart is hurting for Jen and the kids, you and your family, Kristen and her family and your Mom and Dad. You have a way with words and making us all feel apart of your family. It was a blessing to be able to share these moments with Mike through your eyes. He had a huge impact on so many lives and he just didn't know it. I'm blessed to have him as my friend and so sorry to have lost all those years with him but so thankful to have been able to reconnect with him before it was too late. I thank God that he is at peace now and pray for all those left behind to grieve for him. My prayers are with you all as we remember the good times and fun we had with Mike and remember him fondly until we see him again in heaven.