Inspired by Sarah

My cousin Sarah sent me a holiday card with a poem of sorts, outlining many great milestones and events she had in the last year. This has inspired me to do a similar thing to remind myself of the wonderous, if painful, events of the last year.

I was at Mar a Lago, loading out a show when 2006 rang in. Trump had fireworks, which I only heard because I was working.

I had a birthday party in Mike's hospital room. Mike and I were the only ones invited, though our friend Debby stopped in and we gave her some pizza. We watched a movie, but I can't remember which one. Mike found a renewed love for popcorn.

I worked on an Opera at Palm Beach Opera. I can't remember which one it was. I realize my memory is failing under the stress of my life. But I am ok with it.

Mike came home for a brief time.

Mike went back to the hopsital for a fourth round of chemo.

Mike's friends threw a big party and ride for him that raised $24,000 for his and his daughter's monthly expenses. He made it to the front page of the paper the next day.

Mike came home and gave me chocolate for valentines day.

Mike and I learned together how generous strangers can be, as we opened letters from people who responded to the newspaper articles.

Mike was in remission, and an appointment was set to visit Sloan Kettering hopsital in NY.

Mike and I spent a few days in NYC. I got to show him some of my favorite spots. We went to Ground Zero. We ate great food with great friends. The little pie company is tops in Mike's book, but Times Square at night when the theatres let out is over the top.

Mike relapsed. Admission to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami was scheduled for the following Monday.

I got to see Queen with Paul Rodgers for the second time. (I saw Queen with Freddy in 1980) That night Mike had to go back into Good Sam hospital because he got sick and fevered. A sign the cancer was raging again?

I got lost in a four block radius trying to find Jackson Memorial. We went to two other hospitals first.

Mike is admitted, and in line for a stem cell transplant.

I ran sound for Seatrade and learned about modern day Pirates.

My brother Michael succomed to an infection. His loss is the most painful and beautiful experience of my life.

I slept solidly and soundly for the first time in 6 months; since my dear friend and feline, Sneetch, died.

I told the story of my brother's illness to over a hundred of his friends in Florida, then again to more in North Carolina.

I got in touch with some old friends I had lost touch with years ago.

I learned that life isn't fair, and when you play by the rules, sometimes you get screwed. Mike's estate goes into probate instead of paying for Jenna's bills.

I went on a three week "walk about" (driving), which included Kerrville Folk Fest, Southwest New Mexico, and the Grand Canyon. I got my ass kicked by the canyon, but it was a cleansing and beautiful experience.

I learned My Mom has cancer.

I discovered that the socialized medicine of the veteran's administration is lacking in a lot of things.

I start to get my "A Game" back, though it lapses every once in a while.

Friends have bike racks installed in memory of Mike.

I experience depression for real.

I learned I am stronger than I ever thought I could be.

I understand that I am not alone.

I learn that I love my niece more than I ever thought I could.

Here is a picture of Mike at one of my favorite places: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Egyptian exhibit.