Asking for Prayers

Two weeks ago I got a message from a college friend, Mike Mansuy. He was sending a few college friends the news had just been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and that it had spread to his liver. This was devastating news. MIke is one of the nicest people around. He had been a high school principal in Napa California before retiring a couple years ago. During his retirement I followed him on his health quest where he worked out everyday, hiked many many miles and fished in the ocean often.

I never have met his wife Tammie or daughter Jacqueline, but from his messages I can tell they are a devoted close sweet family. Mike invited me to join his Caring bridge that Tammie was writing to help keep us informed. He was not asking for anything except prayers. If I lived closer I would have brought food anyway, at least for Tammie. I knew I could do prayers.

So far the news has not been what they were hoping for. I will not go into the laundry list of things he is fighting, but I can bet he is fighting with all he has. He has so much to live for.

Today Mike posted on Facebook telling everyone about his diagnosis. Since he has gone public I feel it is OK for me to write about this. The family would welcome prayers. Prayers from people who know Mike are wonderful, but prayers from everyone would be better. See, he may be a stranger to you, but he is not a stranger to God.

So if you would like to do something good for the world today, in this world that is so broken, please say a prayer for Mike, his family and care givers. We never know exactly what miracles are available and how they come about. So let’s try everything.

I have lost too many friends in the last few years. I am tired of that. I am going to fight for my friend every chance I get.