Meet Mike

Before I begin writing about the subject I intended, I must share my morning "emergency". My mom and Walter had just gotten here around 7:15 am. Brandon was leaving to catch his bus and as usual, we let Gizmo out into the backyard. Two minutes later, he comes running into the house sneezing uncontrollably. I knew it was trouble when he came right up to me. While wiping his nose, I saw blood. Just 5 mins earlier, I had been upset with my mom for coming over this morning (she didn't feel well), but now I was thankful to have 2 extra sets of hands. As Walter held Gizmo's body and my mom held his head, I found the culprit. I proceeded to pull a 4 inch long piece of bush out of his nose. His agitation almost stopped immediately, but it took me another 1/2 hour to calm him down. Times like this that I think - what if I had to take Gizmo somewhere as an emergency and my mom was not around?

On to my main thoughts-
After reading so many e-mails and posts, I was thankful for all your words of encouragement and support, but at the same time, I don't want anyone to forget the person at the core of this story.....Mike. Mike is the most caring, unselfish and loving person I have ever met. This disease robbed him of everything he loved and all you wonderful people will never know the real Mike. Let me share some thoughts with you -
Mike's favorite baseball team is the Yankees (a troubling situation, since I am a BIG Mets fan), his favorite football team is the Pittsburgh Steelers - Why you ask? He told me that becaue when he ws younger, he loved the color of the uniform. He loves Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Cherry Poppin Daddies, The Dave Matthews Band and Blues Travellers. He drank coffee all day long. He was a great bowler, he loved to go bike riding and play baseball/softball. In his quiet time, it was rare to see him without a crossword puzzle. He loved Tom Clancy books and his grandmother's cheesecake was THE BEST, in his eyes. He would do anything or go anywhere for anyone at any time of day or night - no questions asked. When his mom was in a nursing home with EOAD, he would go almost everyday after classes at St. John's to visit his mother, and we would go every weekend. He adored his mom and missed both his parents terribly. He was a good "doodler" and when he was young, he played the accordian. This gave him the uncanny habit of playing the piano one handed. He always dreamed of owning a 1965 black Corvette. He worked REALLY hard and was very conscientous and dedicated. His favorite restaurant was Koenig's in Floral Park where he loved the Yaeger Schnitzel with a Spaten.

I love Mike and miss him everyday. I just wanted to share with you the Mike I fell in love with BEFORE this disease took over.