As I’ve shared many times, I am prone to wait until the last minute to turn in my monthly column. As I write this, I am a little overdue.  It is now late afternoon, and I had planned to submit it to our editor around noon.  In fact, I had it half-written, but I put it aside because it could wait.

Life happens.  And plans change.

Last night, I had the honor of speaking to a group of ladies at the Celebration Ministry of Christ the King Methodist Church.  One of the ladies there gave me the sweetest compliment by telling me although we just met, she felt like she knew me because of this column.  I told her I just try to be real, because all of us are “doing life” together.

And today has been hard.

One of the things I shared in my talk last night was about the impact we make on others without realizing it.  My first cousin Mike Farris made an impact wherever he went.  When Mike walked into a room, the atmosphere changed.  You immediately broke into a grin…might as well, because without a doubt, a belly laugh was soon to follow.  It never failed.  Never.

This morning, a tragic accident claimed Mike’s life, and our family is forever changed.

Mike was a master storyteller.  He could make a serious story funny, and a funny story side-splitting!  He could imitate a myriad of real-life characters, as well as some who were so unique you would swear he made them up.  Mike loved his family ferociously and protected them with everything he had.  If he loved you, he would do anything he could to help you.

If you spent more than five minutes with Mike, you were bound to hear about his girls.  Reygan and Riley were the pride of his life.  Working with them, showing horses with them, traveling with them, and especially embarrassing them, made his world go ‘round.  None of us can imagine life without him.

The holidays will be hard without his laughter.  Our annual Farris family breakfast will be missing a big personality.  We will hug each other a little tighter and linger together a little longer.

If you have that chance with your family, I hope you do, too.