4:40 a.m.
Posted by Lanea on Thursday, March 12th, 2009
The phone rang.
A dear friend of ours died far too young. He was in good shape and he wasn’t stupid about his health, but he had a heart attack and now he’ll never see his 39th birthday. Mike was working late, and he died at his desk.
He was my husband’s best friend. He was the best house-mate in the world. I cried like a baby when he told us he was moving away a decade ago, and we tried for years to lure him back home. He held our wedding rings in his pocket seven years ago, joking that he had known years before Scott and I ever even went on a date that he’d stand up for us on our wedding day. He was one of the smartest, kindest people I’ve ever known. He explained string theory to me over a beer one night in a way no physics teacher ever had. He offered to put on a wig and a dress, pretend to be a short, and take the math portion of the GREs for me, but refused to shave off his beard to do it. He told the truth all of the time, even when it shocked people, but he never did it cruelly. He had a wicked sense of humor, and he was a great swing dancer. He read incessantly, and could always steer a friend away from a bad book he’d read every tedious page of. He was tall and handsome and wonderful with kids. He was the kind of guy you wish one of your friends would marry. I always thought Mike would get the chance to be the wonderful husband and father he wanted to be, and we all knew he was destined to become. Instead, all of our hearts are broken and the world doesn’t make sense.
Filed in Uncategorized | 20 responses so far
Charlieon 12 Mar 2009 at 2:46 pm 1I got the email first thing this morning and it’s been sitting on my chest like a stone all day. Thanks for writing about it, although honestly it hurts a little more now.
Condolences to you and Scott. Even though I know it doesn’t really help.
Teaganon 12 Mar 2009 at 2:49 pm 2OMG is this one of the KF/Head Clan Mikes?
Lisaon 12 Mar 2009 at 2:51 pm 3I am so sorry for your loss, for Scott’s loss, for everyone whose lives are a little less shiny for having Mike in them. My sympathies to you all.
Your eulogy makes him sound like a hell of a swell fellow.
Calumon 12 Mar 2009 at 3:07 pm 4That’s as fine a eulegy as anyone could want. He’ll be deeply missed.
--Debon 12 Mar 2009 at 4:53 pm 5I am so sorry. I never met him, but he sounds just wonderful. What a terrible loss.
kon 12 Mar 2009 at 6:46 pm 6I’m so sorry.
lindaon 12 Mar 2009 at 7:37 pm 7Lanea,
you found just the right words. we’re all sad -but i know you and scott are really feeling it – big big hugs.
Erinaon 12 Mar 2009 at 10:10 pm 8I’m so sorry. My condolences to you and Scott đ
Shirley and Billon 13 Mar 2009 at 12:37 pm 9Amy, Scott, we are deeply saddened and so very sorry for your loss. Words can’t express . . .
Junoon 13 Mar 2009 at 1:33 pm 10Will you tell Scott how sorry I am? There’s nothing that can make this any better at all and the way you write about him makes me sorry for all of us who never met him. All my love….
mapgirlon 13 Mar 2009 at 3:17 pm 11Gosh. I’m so sorry dear. I will be bringing a big hug for you on Sunday if you are still going.
Brigiton 13 Mar 2009 at 3:28 pm 12Sending you healing thoughts. I am so sorry for your loss of such a good friend.
gayleon 13 Mar 2009 at 3:32 pm 13So sorry.
How lucky you were to have had him in your life.
Bullwinkleon 13 Mar 2009 at 5:44 pm 14I’d been thinking about you (an obessive lot – starting yesterday) – and was starting to worry if everything was all right.
I’m so sorry to hear. I can’t make sense of the world but I can be thankful to have dear people in my life. Take care of yourself.
rhoon 13 Mar 2009 at 6:41 pm 15I am so sorry to hear of your loss – there is nothing that makes it easier is there. I can’t help but think how blessed you both were to have someone like that in your life even if the time with them was way too short.
lellaon 13 Mar 2009 at 6:49 pm 16I’m so sorry, Lanae and Scott.
KathyMarieon 14 Mar 2009 at 10:41 am 17I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. You and Scott are in my thoughts.
Jinannon 16 Mar 2009 at 5:21 pm 18Oh, Amy! I’m so sorry! {{{HUGS}}}
Rachelon 20 Mar 2009 at 8:31 pm 19Oh, honey. I’m so, so sorry. That’s just terrible. I’m stunned. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know. I’m going to be in California for a couple of days, but I’ll check in when I get home. My condolences to you and Scott.
Jasminon 23 Mar 2009 at 9:50 am 20I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so true how the world often doesn’t make sense when good people are taken from us before their time. May peace be with you.