Green Spring Park has a beautifully restored historic mansion on the grounds as well as a horticulture center and duck pond. It is a welcome oasis in the midst of bustling Northern Virginia. Mike and I visited there several times. He loved to bring bread to feed to the birds. Animals seemed drawn to him.

I remember this day well, July 12, 1997. That morning Mike had rescued a box turtle from the highway and released him at Green Spring. We went there that afternoon to see if we could find the little guy. We didn't. But we splashed in the creek, walked around under the trees and Mike began to talk. He said he feared that there was something wrong with him, something serious. He said he did not know what I would do if he ever had to leave. He told me to pray for him. Just 8 days earlier we had spent a wonderfully carefree Fourth of July in Old Town Manassas. Despite the oppressive heat, I felt a chill run up my spine...

Mike in a pensive mood on Mother's Day 1997. This park, Rutherford, was right next door to him.