Michael is my brother.
It wasn’t until later in life that I really got to know him better, as when I moved from San Diego to Virginia with my parents, he being older, stayed behind.
I was blessed to be able to stay with Mike and Sarah for about 5 months in 2020.
During this time, I learned he and I shared a love of many things ……. music, nature, faith, adventure ….. coconut macaroons …… reading, surfing, laughter …… and pie.
While helping out in Oregon, after Mike became ill, I remember saying to him at one point, “you don’t want to overdo it” to which he replied “yes I do” …. and he did, defying all odds and continually inspiring us.
The day after he passed, my son Tim, his fiancé Jen, and I went to lunch at a small Mexican place I know Mike would love, called No Problemo. While there, they started playing Radio Head and I thought of him.
After lunch, on our way to the car, I stopped to take a picture of a very big Christmas Tree that was across the street in front of City Hall. When I did, a woman approached me and asked if I had seen the chapel. I responded I had not but my son was waiting in the car. She replied “oh but you must, it will only take a minute”. I followed her down the street into one of many doors along that block (it was not an obvious stand alone chapel). Inside was very beautiful. She knelt down and when I knelt beside her, she took both of my hands in hers and said you are blessed. For a second, I thought about telling her my brother had just passed away, but somehow I sensed she already knew. It was Mikes doing. He is with us. His love surrounds us.
I love you Michael, always.
Leave a Reply