September 4, 2015

From our nephew, Tim

I can still remember the scene vividly. I was thirteen years old, sitting in the cab of a Ford pickup truck across from my uncle who was, for all intents and purposes, one of my idols (right up there with my dad, Patrick Roy, and Peter Forsberg). Ever since I was that goofy 8 year old kid taking piano lessons from my Aunt Emily, Uncle Mark had that innate ability to make me feel like we were pals and less like I was your typical obnoxious eight year old. We goofed off, made up secret hand shakes, and he taught me how to dribble a basketball between my legs for the first time (disclaimer: it's not as hard as it looks). So there we were, bumping our way along Highway 36, when Uncle Mark asked me, "So Tim, what do you think about working for me this summer?" I think for a minute the clouds parted, light came streaming through the fogged pickup window, and a couple whistling sparrows landed on my shoulder. But in all seriousness, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest. I managed to stammer and awkward, "Um yeah, Uncle Mark, that'd be so awesome." I was ecstatic. Thirteen, and my uncle who I worshiped had just asked me to work for his landscaping business for a whole $6.50 an hour. Christmas had come early.

What I didn't realize is that was the start of a deep, deep bond that I formed with the entire Maeda family. I worked for Uncle Mark every summer from when I was thirteen until two weeks before starting my physician assistant program at twenty one. I crashed in their guest room for half of those summer, sharing late nights laughing until our bellies hurt, fiercely competing in Pinochle (Aunt Emily, we're still the team to beat), and taking spontaneous trips to the convenient store for sour skittles and, always, a Magnum chocolate bar for Aunt Emily. I come from a large, loving, and devoted extended family on both sides, but I've always said the Maedas are my pseudo-family, my State-side mom, dad, and siblings.

I love this family deeply, and I am grateful that, barring any last minute changes, I will be able to give a lobe of my liver to Uncle Mark this November. This will be a long and taxing journey for the Maedas, so please remember them in your prayers and consider giving through the link below to help ease the financial burden of such a large life event. They are salt of the earth, a testimony of faithfulness to God, and a true joy to know. Any prayer or gift is greatly appreciated.