For Miles Patrick Yohnke
By Mike Murphy - http://www.mikemurphymusic.com
© 2015 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
An introduction to Our Soul Ignitor
I share a letter I received on the 17th of October 2015 from Mike Murphy. The day was the 47th anniversary of my late Father's passing.
"It was a beautiful gesture. One that emphasized an enormous amount of empathy, thought, and love for his fellow man. This gesture just captures Brother Mike's state of living. It also brings you into the strength and character that my mother bestows."
Good morning, Brother Miles,
I have been thinking of you today, your trip to the cemetery today, one of many, and the anniversary of your Father's death for many days before today.
Today is a day to honour your dad's life and also one to celebrate yours.
The other day, as we drove with the mine floating in the distance, where your dad lost his life, it felt like we were driving through a time warp. A black and white living photographic memory, as we drove through with the rays of sunshine coming into the cabin of the car.
As the rays came into the car, I was hoping that they would somehow warm your soul and give you some comfort. That those rays were your father's warm and protective arms wrapping them around you. Comforting you.
You fight it. But the feelings are still there underneath the surface. How could they not be? As you spoke of your dad briefly when I asked you about him and the mine, and your voice cracked a bit, you didn't have to say anything more. And you stopped. You knew I understood. Words were not needed. It was a moment of human care understanding where words are not needed.
This is real life. You and I, we embrace real life. As tough as it is, we don't block it. We live and allow ourselves to feel it. One of our many similarities.
We will both always share that common denominator of learning at a really young age what it is like to lose a parent and to face the world without a parent, although we both learned to overcome or at least adapt, to the hands we were both dealt.
Different dealers. Same rules. The hard knocks of life.
I was 10 when I lost Mom. Who am I? What am I doing here? Where's my Mommy gone? Why did God take her away?
You ask many questions. You get little to no answers. At some point to go forward, you have to stop asking questions, and move forward. Be accepting. Or it will kill you.
To be 5 years old at the time and still just figuring out how to put your pants on, play with toys, learn manners, etc. and to lose your dad at this time, makes it a very tough time for a young boy.
You know brother Miles, Keagan is the same age now as you were then, and I sure wouldn't want him to face the world without me or Tammy. I don't want to even imagine it.
I think of your mom on this day. Somehow, your mom saw you through the many obstacles you faced without him. The learning disability that you have now turned into an asset.
She sure did a great job and raised a son that is kind, loving, caring, and always puts others in front of himself.
A pretty remarkable feat I figure.
Being a single Mother at such a critical time in her children's lives must have seemed insurmountable to her on many days and maybe even more nights.
How can I do this? Can I keep going? Am I doing the right things? Raising them properly?
Even with both of us raising our boys, we are both on many occasions, really just left scratching our heads. Are we doing the right things? Making the right decisions for them?
Today, although it was a sad day and occasion at that time, we celebrate your dad's life, and your mother raising a beautiful example of a human light in Miles Patrick Yohnke.
You. The one who is tirelessly in anyone's corner who needs or accepts your help.
The Cus D'Amato for human spirit.
Some realize your gift to them early on, some later on at some point come to discover it and be thankful. Some don't. But that never stops you.
The one who leads by example. Not by lip service, but by words put into motion service. He who puts his words into action. Who shows his dedication to the betterment of humankind.
That by never giving up on those who want to change or become whom they really are underneath their clouds of mistaken identity, that they can overcome their own obstacles like he, and become whom the world needs them to be.
If your name was in the dictionary, that would be the explanation of its meaning. This is you, brother Miles.
I thank you and feel so blessed to have you as a brother in my life. I thank your mother for somehow guiding that 5-year-old boy through the fires of life to become the man who he has turned out to be.
Who he is still becoming. Ever growing. Ever self-challenging.
She should know that he is changing and inspiring many lives, including mine, and that her son does make a difference in this world.
A huge difference.
One that is gravely needed. That he matters. Dammit, he has done and committed to doing so much more with his life than so many others would dare to have the courage and commitment to.
And through all this, unselfishly. To see others succeed is his greatest reward. Is this not a man? If it isn't, I beg to know what is? Who is?
I love you Brother Miles.
I can barely type this as the salt of my tears hit this keyboard.
The character letters are hazy now. But as I try to finish this, I know you see through my haze as I see through yours, and that you clearly understand many of my thoughts, my challenges, and I thank you on behalf of myself and the world, for encouraging all of us. One soul at a time.
Our Soul Ignitor.
Love,
Brother Mike
To learn more about Jenn Diehl, and to contact her, please click here: http://www.ensoulimagery.com
To learn more about Mike Murphy, this most loving human being and his numerous talents, please click on the link provided: http://www.mikemurphymusic.com