Celebration of Friendship

I've known Brenda since we started Sunday school together at the age of three.  We went to summer camp together 8 years in a row.  Had many sleep-overs and many days at the lake and have remained friends all these years.  I've known Mary since kindergarten. We played every sport we could together in high school. My mom and I spent 3 weeks with her and her family in Germany in 2007. In 2008, I went with her and her family on an African safari, a most wonderful adventure.  I've known Beth since 2nd grade and she along with Ann and Julie were my closest friends in high school.  I spent many hours with her family and her mom was like a second mother to me, her mom still thinks of me as one of her own.  

Although there have been times of separation through the years, whenever I get back together with these life long friends, it's like no time has passed at all.  We are always able to pick up right where we left off.  

I have a Christmas card from Brenda in 2008 and in it she wrote 'Italy 2012!'  Since that time she has experienced a sadness no parent should have to endure.  Her only son Michael developed a brain tumor and died in 2010 at the age of 21.  Since that time, I have felt even more determined to make 'Italy 2012' become a reality.  

Due to the excellent planning skills and knowledge of Mary Bradley (she has been to Italy multiple times) and some help from me to organize all the data she gathered and reservations she has made, we are ready for a trip of a lifetime. 

To honor the “passionately lived” life of Michael Jensen and celebrate life long friendships, Italy, here we come!