Michael Leusing
On March 12, 1984, I looked across the room and saw the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen tipping her glass to me. Getting up and walking towards her I didn't think it could be real. Flipping the empty chair at the table next to hers I set down putting my arm around and said "Hi, my name is Mike. What's yours?" On November 14, 2024, with my arm still around her I watched as her breathes slowed and stopped with me telling her "I love you" over and over again. In the almost 41 years in between she filled my life with more love, laughter and family than I ever thought possible. Although my heart is broken, I see more every day that even though I thought I was taking care of her, she was the one making sure I was looked after and cared for after she left. Thank you to everyone who loved and cared for Dora, the beauty of her smile and warmth of her laughter lives in all of you.