When Allen first bought the house at The Swamp, we were commuting every other weekend or so from Florida until we could sell our business and move to Georgia permanently. On top of having the natural, unspoiled beauty of The Swamp and all its' wildlife, we also have best neighbors! Mike, one of our new neighbors, had this little presentation waiting for us in the kitchen when we arrived for a long weekend in April 2006.
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Coffee all ready to go, with a Welcome Back sign from Mike
When we first met Mike, we had no idea how much his friendship would enrich us. Mike is career Air Force, about 26 years now. Mike is the most patriotic person I have ever known. Mike is also a recipient of the Purple Heart. He was critically injured in Baghdad, Iraq about 4 years ago. His injuries were quite extensive, including Traumatic Brain Injury. He also suffers from Post- Traumatic Shock Disorder.
What defines Mike, however, is his love of God, Country, Family, Friends and Animals. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. Mike loves helping people, sometimes people he doesn't even know well. I won't share these things here, because Mike prefers to be an anonymous benefactor. He believes in giving people a hand up, and does so quite often. He's an amazing human being. I am very grateful to call him my friend!
When I saw this Welcome Back from Mike, I cried. Then I took this photograph. Then I took the note and tucked it away with my treasures. It serves to remind me that a simple act of kindness can make a tremendous impact in someone else's life.
Thank you, Mike. I love you, my friend.
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53 friends stopped by:
This is a beautiful post for the theme. What a unique person and friend Mike is, and I love the fact that you photographed his thoughtful sign.
Mike sounds like a wonderful person and friend. That was a thoughtful gesture and I'm glad you recorded it so we could see your unique sign. Good Post!!
What an amazing post, and an amazing person! You have definitely brightened my day by posting this. It is so nice to hear about people like Mike when we are usually bombarded with bad news. :)
Happy photo hunting, and thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great weekend!
What a heart-warming story, Barb! I'm happy to know there are people in the world like Mike and people like you to appreciate him! :)
What a wonderful person. If only the world had more Mikes. It would surely be a better place
You know how people ask - was it funny peculiar or funny ha ha" Well, that is funny - lovely! It nearly made me cry too!
What a gorgeous story! Top PhotoHunt entry!!
From Leslie
http://lesliesmyers.blogspot.com/2008/04/photohunt-funny-signs-dubai.html
Beautiful. What a blessing to know someone like Mike!
Such a sweet friend is a treasure.
Makimeji
Wow, I love this photo and the story to go along with it is amazing. :) Thanks for the great post. Happy Hunting!!
Mine is up here
I love the photo, and I love Mike also, my kind of guy...
mike sounds perfectly lovely...
smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Very sweet and touching.
What a nice guy Mike must be and now you have this great chance to show us this and tell about him. Have a great weekend.
Wonderful how a small gesture like this warm our hearts :)
"There's a saying in Chinese, good neighbors are better than relatives living afar."
In times of need and help, good neighbors are always the fastest help available :)
that is sweet :D
have a great weekend
God bless ya Mike!! Well "naybur" hope all is well. Been working a little time to post, much less time to visit everyones blog. Had a couple of "Hawgs" buzz over my truck yesterday. Heard a noise and couldnt figure what it was until his wingman screamed over at about 750 ft off the ground. To quick for a camera. Have a great weekend!!
that's so sweet ... made me go teary-eyed myself.
such a wonderful treasure!
I think it's a very sweet gesture. Thank you for sharing it.
aww bless that's such a nice thing to have done!
Sometimes, it does not have to be a long note to impress anyone. A simple and sincere gesture would be enough to touch the heart of another. Nice sharing here :)
http://crizcats.blogspot.com/
Such a simple yet cherished gesture!
What a wonderful post for the theme. Frienship is to be cherished.
happy weekend.
Awww... what a sweet guy. He's been thru so much and still thinks of other people.
thats just nice:)
Very positive, I must admit
Great to have such a really good friend.
I agree that you have a really great friend. :)
We all need a Mike in our lives...wonderful sign and great choice for the theme!!
That is so sweet! Good neighbors are priceless!
Drop by and see my sign - it's a gas!
Happy weekend
L
What a great tribute. He sounds like a wonderful man.
What a lovely friend! I need Mike too... :)
A very touching post. Your friend Mike is such a sweet person. Hope all is well with him.
Love the story...love the post.
Mine's posted...stop by and see if you can figure it all out!!
I love hand written notes....they show a sign of real love. When I moved in with my now husband I packed his lunchbox. I took great care to ensure he had a fantastic lunch. From taking a can of soup into work he was now taking a full box, all carefully packed and labelled. His workmates would gather round to see what I had packed............
so one day I put a hand written note inside...it read.."Eat it all up Tiger! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"
We still laugh about it now.
Check out my photo sign...it's a corker!
Mike truly envelopes what "welcome back" is all about. And what a treasure for him to offer that for you.
Such a sweet gesture and nice post for the theme...I like the picture
pearl - have a good weekend and happy hunting
That is so sweet! You're lucky to have a friend like that
what a great sign! And I almost used my sign for 13... I even said.. but held off because it was just better for this week. :)
This is my first time participating in PhotoHunt (at Small Reflections). I love this hand written sign and story. It IS the simple things that mean so much ;--)
Hugs and blessings,
Good one! Wonderful to have such good friends and neighbours. :D
What a blessing to have Mike in your life. An eXcellent tribute. ThanX for sharing ~ and for stopping by for a visit. Happy hunting!
That is a sweet lovely tribute to a special man.
That is a nice story, and how lucky of you to have such a nice friend.
Mines up over at Flo's Place
I'll trade ya, one neighbor Mike, for just about anything! You are so fortunate to have him for a friend! My hunt is up, please come and visit
Good one...we all love those one of a kind signs.
Fabulous post...
Come check out Prairie Visions!
A sign of friendship and love! Heartwarming...
Certainly a unique sign.
What a lovely thing to do, and what a wonderful man he must be. Thanks for posting this.
How sweet is that!?
Thanks for stopping by mine :)
There are not many Mikes today. He is full of warmth and cheer. This post reminds me that I have a very great neighbor whom I have to show more appreciation.
Oh this is great choice for this week theme. Great shot, thanks for sharing..
Mine is up
Every Beat Of My Heart
A Little Bit Of Everything
What a terrific take on this week's theme. Mike sounds wonderful! And a "welcome back" is always nice!
What a sweet treasure!
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