I cried when I received a text from my dad explaining that Mike had been killed. I know that crying in response to Mike's passing was not unique to me. I'd imagine that most people who learned they would never again experience Mike's contagious smile and positive demeanor shed tears when they discovered they would have to rely on a memory of those things as opposed to the reality of those things. The interesting thing about my tears for Mike, however, is that I generally don't cry. In fact, I can't remember the last time that I did cry. Yet the day I received the news about Mike, I could not hold back the tears. I cried on the phone with my mom, in the drive thru at In-N-Out, and even in front of co-workers during work. But why? Mike and I were friends, but not close friends. Our friendship was derived from the fact that Mike was my brother Drew's best friend and the fact that Mike had worked for my company a couple of years ago. That's really it. Yes, death of our family members deserve tears, but rarely have those events produced tears for me. This time was different, though, and here's why:
The world needs more people like Mike. Rarely have I met a less judgmental and accepting person than Mike. I can honestly say that I never heard Mike utter a negative word about another person. In all my interactions with Mike he made me feel important… like he really cared about my well being. His "how are you" seemed to really mean something. When he worked for my company, Mike always demonstrated respect for his co-workers, despite the fact that all of them had come from different backgrounds than him. Most importantly, I believe Mike's passing had such an emotional impact on me because of the impact I know he had on my brother. Mike has always supported my brother like nobody else in the world. Always listening, encouraging and loving. A person can't do anything greater for me than to love my family… and Mike did that. For that, and everything else I have already mentioned, I will always honor, love and miss Mike.
Mike.. enjoy your peace. You deserve it.
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