On Saturday, August 4, 2012, we lost a dear friend, Mike Bonds. I first met Mike and Jackie through an ex boyfriend about 8 years ago. Their friendship outlasted that breakup and as I brought Gene into their family, they were just as accepting. I practically lived at their house weekends and summers during college and came to love Jackie as a sister and the girls as my own.
I have so many great memories with this family. Before their girls could even say my name, I was Jenner to them and he never let me forget that name. He also deemed me the Jennerator (and later Gene as the Gene-erator). Mike always loved to play jokes on everyone. Yes, he played a few on me too. I think he took great joy in showing me what a Long Island Iced Tea was on my 21st birthday. He once took a worm from the fridge and dropped it in my hand, laughing at my meltdown. You could tell when he got really tickled, he would just put his hands over his face and laugh and laugh until he was red. They taught me how to play poker and it became a weekly activity. Mike was always better at it than the rest of us, and we teased him about having the 'house' advantage.
When I started bringing Gene to poker night, I'll never forget when Mike gave him a glass of sweet tea. He didn't know at the time that Gene was diabetic, so when Gene started feeling a little shaky, Mike felt awful. However, the next time we came over, Mike was quick to offer Gene some sweet tea. It became a little joke among the 4 of us. Mike, Jackie, Me and Gene went caving a couple years ago. I was nervous to go anyway, and the bats were kind of scaring me. At one point, we had to crawl down a small area. Little did I know, my ponytail had actually nudged a bat, and it was swinging from the ceiling. Gene told me it was everything him and Mike could do not to laugh. I was completely unaware until after we left the cave. Memories like these keep a smile on my face.
As much fun as Mike was to be around, he was also there for the hard stuff. I remember one night in particular, I was struggling with some issues, and Mike told me not to worry, better things would come. I could do better than my current situation. I never forgot that. He was always giving me advice when I didn't think I needed it. Mike was a great friend, wonderful husband, father, and teacher.
Mike and Jackie's love is like none other. I've heard several times the story of when Jackie was 14 and saw Mike working in her daddy's hayfield, she knew was going to marry that boy some day. Whether I knew it or not, I was looking for my own "Mike." I wanted to marry someone who took time each day to show his wife he loved her. Luckily, I found him and I'm glad I waited for the right man (my something better).
I loved to watch Mike with his girls. He loved them so much and was always teaching them something new or playing games with them. He taught them to hunt, fish, and most important, to stay away from boys :)
 |
| Katy and Mike |
 |
| Lily and Mike |
 |
| Lindsey and Mike |
 |
| He caught some trophies... |
 |
| He was even proud of the small ones :) |
Most recently, Mike became the shop teacher at the school. I remember hearing him tell us how he didn't know if he would get the job. There was another candidate that may have been more qualified, but they didn't have as much heart as Mike did. Eventually, the students petitioned for Mike and he was offered the job. He treated each of his students like his own child guiding them in life skills and matters of the heart.
Mike, you were loved by so, so many. You were like the big brother I never had. I knew I could count on your for anything. You taught me about life, more than you ever knew. We love you so much and I hope you continue to guide us from up above.
No comments:
Post a Comment