In Memory
Picture linked to his Obituary
The last post on my blog was posted on the same day that we lost a precious part of our family, my Brother-in-Law Michael Patrick Cortez. He was a man that hardly any person could call a stranger. If you had a chance to meet him, he would talk your ear off, grab your cell phone digits, and consider you a friend. He was full of advice, recipes, reasons for this or that, how to's, a helping hand if he could, discounted car parts, tips on living, and whatever else that would come up in a conversation. He never showed judgements, and was always happy for another person regardless of what he thought you should be doing, or buying. I remember the first time I showed him our Honda that we had just leased (I know he was most like others and was against the LEASING of a car). He didn't ask all the crazy questions others do when you did something wrong and they wanted you to know it. He only asked if he could drive it around the camp ground. As he drove it he was so genuinely excited for me and told me that he wished he could have "one of these suckers too."
I, as well as eveyone else, remains in disbelief. We've had the viewing, the memorial, and we plan to accompany my sister to the burial this month (if she would like), but it is still not enough validation. I can't believe that we will never hear him laugh again, see him hold his Lanie bugs in his arms, watch him hang out in the chair during family functions, camp together, watch soccer games together, hear him cheer for Ryan, as well as create new memories together. We are all hurting. I don't know if this post will cause my sister more sadness (I would never want that), but I didn't feel like I could move on in my blog without celebrating, capturing, sharing, and enjoying those memories with a few pictures (which I've learned that the more pictures/video of a person the better) of "our" Uncle Mike. We will miss you forever!
Mike helped me blow up my air mattress during a camping trip when I didnt have Mark to help me. It took him forever but he didn't care. He laughed when I showed him this picture!
I love how he loved my children. A special moment with Charlie and Mike during a summer hike.
A family camping trip out on the lake. He was always so relaxed and laid back.
His happy place on the water, at the lake!
Playing in the ball pit during a birthday party for Ryan
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