On Sundays I write about individuals who deserve our praise. Mike Witmer is such a guy. The father of two was born and raised in Maryland and works in land surveying. He is also a Christmas light fanatic who builds a big and bold display at his home every holiday season.
Every year since 2002, Mike Witmer has included “Hi Kevin” in his Christmas light display.
From The Epoch Times – Bright:
“The story of how he came to include ‘Hi Kevin’ in his Christmas lights goes back to the fall of 2002, when Mr. Witmer’s then-11-year-old neighbor, Kevin Mullen, was diagnosed with cancer.
When the holidays rolled out that year, Kevin was undergoing treatment at the Children’s Hospital. Mr. Witmer decided to add an encouraging message to his Christmas display for Kevin’s homecoming.
“The doctors told him he‘d be well enough to spend that Christmas at home,” Mr. Witmer said. “I just had this … idea to write, ’Get well, Kevin,‘ in my Christmas light display. … Kevin saw his name in lights and actually asked his Mom, ’Do you think Mr. Witmer will put my name in lights every year?’”
Kevin went into remission, but every year from that moment on, Mr. Witmer added “Hi Kevin” to his Christmas display by painting two pieces of wood and placing them in different locations among the lights. “It was almost like my own little ‘Where’s Waldo?’ game with Kevin,” Mr. Witmer said.
When Kevin was 19 and had just finished his freshman year at the University of Maryland, his cancer returned. Kevin was a young adult. His losing his battle with cancer in June 2010, left everyone who knew him heartbroken.
Because of his connection with Kevin, Mr. Witmer was asked to speak at the funeral. At the end of his speech, he invited all the guests to visit his home at Christmas that year to see a bigger and brighter “Hi Kevin” sign.”
On Dec. 5, 2009, the year before he passed, Kevin wrote a message to Mr. Witmer on Facebook. It read, “Your light display never fails to amaze me, Mr. Witmer … you really are a classic ‘Clark Griswold.’”
Mike Witmer’s display from 2023 … still honoring Kevin Mullin after 21 years.
Kudos to Mike Witmer, a man true to his word.
12/22/24