Today my thoughts and condolences go out to Sue, Steve, and Judy saying good bye to my friend Mike. Our relationship to me was one liken to a brother and father combined. Like a brother he was always there for me and our conversations were intimate enough that it was easy to tell him things that I haven't shared with anyone else and he likewise. As a father, he was a teacher to me with experiences that were interesting and left me talking with him for hours. I respected his seniority (of course he let me know it) but in the end of our many debates we could always raise the flag of truce and agree to disagree. During our talks there would always be a good measure of sarcasm and teasing to get through a tough time and change the mood with a joke and a laugh. The real serious times we both seemed to know that it was time to just shut up and listen. I think the one thing about Mike that I will always remember about him is his clumsiness. I have never seen a guy trip, spill coffee on himself or hurt his body more than Mike. One of his last escapes was with some critter just outside his kitchen window. Now you have to understand that I swore secrecy but I don't think he would mind. Anyway, this critter was pissing Mike off for sometime and he decided to leap into action and grabbed his .22 rifle and show this creature who was boss. Well he somehow tripped, the safety was off on the rifle and he blew a hole through the tile near the kitchen sink. Of course the animal walk away to a background of loud (louder than the gun shot) and varied obscenities from within the house. Only Mike. One of a kind. I will miss you but the memories will help fill the void. I hope heaven will be ready for you. You'll make an impression. You did with me.