Happy Birthday Mike

Today is Veteran's Day as well as Mike's birthday. Both are reasons to pause a moment and think. I miss you, Mike.


Mike and the Sneetch: Two friends in Heaven

Purge

So, today I am working on this three day long revival for the Haitian Catholic Church, part of the Archdiocese of Miami. This program is entirely in Creole, so I am lucky if I have a clue what's going on. While waiting for the third part of today's event to start, I had some time, so I started to purge my cell phone of no longer needed contacts.

Most of these were stagehands, that I maybe I had worked with in the past, but don't keep in touch with. Some were old theatre contacts. I even purged some directors out of the phone. No need to call them really, since I am not doing design any more.

I came across a few names that belonged to people who are now deceased. That gave me pause. I purged a couple of them, but kept a couple too, including "Brother Mike." It used to say "ICE Brother Mike" because he was my emergency contact. But after he died I figured it would be pointless for emergency personnel to call him if I was in an accident.

I had to smile a few times as I purged three numbers from my phone. All of these three are still living, but it gave me some pleasure, even enough to giggle a little, to get rid of them. Can you guess who? There are some people who may read this that might know who they all are. I am going to make this a game now. If you can guess all three, I'll figure out something really cool to give you. My guess is that there are some of you who will guess at least one. :)


ICE Brother Mike (He was goofy, but you could rely on him.)

My friend Bill

Whenever Mike would see him, he'd say, "Hey, there's my friend, Bill!" Mike would go over and shake his hand and ask him how he was doing. Bill was homeless; one of the familiar faces of downtown West Palm Beach. Mike enjoyed talking to those folks, but especially to Bill.

Shortly after Mike died I ran into Bill at Clematis by Night, the weekly concert series downtown. I approached him and asked if he had eaten that day, then bought him dinner. I mentioned Mike. At that time he realized who I was, and started crying. Bill loved my brother, I could tell. He was sad that Mike would no longer ride up to him on his bike and shake his hand.

Fast forward a year. I ran into Bill at Publix in City Place recently. I was having lunch on the veranda, a common location for watching traffic. He came out of the store and looked for a place to sit. I invited him to my table. I was very glad I did. Bill told me he had a job and a nice little trailer to live in. Things look like they are doing ok for Bill. It was light in my heart to hear about how well things were going , and to speak with him. I felt that Mike may have had just a little influence on Bill's life since he left us. I hope it continues to go well with Bill. And I like to think Bill is my friend too.

Another one lost

Tinkerbell. A huge dog with huge heart. The Idlet's place won't be the same without her.