Mick...



And the song comes on from Eric Church…Springsteen…and the line that catches me every time…sometimes a melody sounds like a memory…music such a part of me and my family...and my mind began to think of Micky…okay Mick…but my thoughts were of Micky (a younger version of Mick)…and I do what I do…I begin to write…

When younger…he was like my big brother.   We all looked up to him and listened to what he told us sometimes to our regret.   However, me being the oldest of his mom’s sister’s family we often joined forces…are you following me…My mom, Peggy, and Mick’s mom, Betty, were sisters…and in our younger days…we spent some time together…good time...at least when you are a kid or looking back…you remember the good times…or it seems that is what I remember…not wanting to take the hard times with us…the good memories are my melodies…a few pics from those good times...Mick, me, Tracy and down under Kelly...we were performing or something...

 

Here the entire cast...Except Mick who maybe was taking the pic...but I am sure laughing...Vonnie, Kelly, Tracy, me...and Shane under the chair...

 

And so in fairness to Tracy and his cool factor...I put in a pic of us all at the same time where he seems to be Frank Sinatra or someone cool...Kelly, Vonnie, Tracy, Mick, Shane and Penny...somewhere in Arizona...

I was asked to share a memory…and so I include one that is probably forever implanted in my mind…

When I think of Mick…the first thing I hear is his laugh/giggle whatever it was.   And when you heard it you knew that his teasing was involved or something made him laugh to his core…I remember lots of laughter with him…however, my memory involves some anger eventually accompanied by laughter…the summer before my freshman year in high school…I guess it would be 1975…and Mick and Tracy came to Colorado in Mick’s sweet ride station wagon…it was cool we all thought…so that is really what matters…though I don’t remember exactly the year and make…I can still see that car…but anyway when it came time for them to return to Tucson…we convinced my mom I should go…WHAT WAS SHE THINKING!!!   But I think that of our parent’s…they really weren’t afraid of stuff like that…

So off we go…the three of us heading down I-25 it seems.     I remember windows down…laughing…I am sure the music blasting…Mick driving us…Tracy…being Tracy…and then Trace seems to have the idea to take Mick’s hat…when he grabs…Mick begins going after Tracy…yes this is while we are driving…my mind pictures mountain area…me in shotgun…Tracy was in the middle seat…but in trying to get in the back so Mick can’t reach him while driving.   Mick thinking his hat blew out which it did but I think it came back in the window but he not knowing and so he was not happy…and next thing I know…Tracy hopping over seats to avoid Mick’s wrath…and there he is out the back window of the station wagon standing on the bumper…wind blowing…and I am thinking we are going to die (or at least Tracy)…but we all seem to be laughing at least in my mind’s story…did we stop…oh no…Mick just told him to get back in…so Tracy climbs in and seems like he came up with the hat…and our adventure continued…and maybe one of those stories you had to be there…but the point I guess being…I was…and so was Mick…

Upon getting to Tucson…a good HOT summer…I remember meeting Mick’s next door neighbor…Jeannie Scofield…we all spent a lot of time together…and then I remember Mick came to Colorado…driving truck with Uncle Glen and Randy…I remember Jeannie came up…don’t remember how she got there but Mick knew she was coming.   Her and I had been hanging out and so it was late when the truck pulled in…I can still remember her hiding behind a chair in Grandma Bessie’s house and me telling Mick she wasn’t there…his face as he searched the house I can still see…and then finding her behind the chair…and tears still come to my eyes when I remember him holding her in his arms…and now two amazing boys because of that love...

And time goes on…and I remember Mick and Jeannie and Jared and Preston staying with us for a short time while at the dairy…and then as time does and raising families…it seemed we went a long time not really seeing each other…just getting on with the business of life I guess.   I think I remember a basketball game in Ordway where Preston was playing ball…we seen each other…a time in Pueblo…not many family gatherings…but seems like hardly any time at all for being so close when younger…and you wonder why we go through these seasons of distance and those that were so close are sometimes almost strangers to us…then sometimes we connect again…

Sometimes connections come in unusual ways…I ended up connecting with Mick’s son, Jared and his wife, Lanita, by way of facebook.   A way of connection in these days I guess.   Anyway, in reconnecting through Lanita, I got a chance to meet sweet McKenzie…Her name a part of her grandfather…as Mick was after his…Grandpa Mick…family…and so I flash forward to Mick’s sister Vonnie’s daughter Michelle’s wedding…(yes I love to see if you can keep up with these connections…but I with my camera…this time in an official capacity…I caught some pictures of dancing…One with Mick dancing with his mom…and I love this one as she looks at him with such love…and her own giggle...and I am so thankful for these celebrations of life...

The next one…I caught video of Mick and McKenzie dancing…my granddaughter and daughter dancing nearby…and I love McKenzie’s expression as she is not sure of it all…of the laughter of his son’s and their wives (Lori...I have more footage with your joyful dancing moves even if Preston wouldn't join you)…and these…these are the memories we hold on to (though my videography needs some work)…and McKenzie…may you always feel the love in that hug…I think of Mick staying with you...saying goodbye...and able to tell you he loved you and sorry he was sick…and your words…

Hard to understand the why’s and wondering the what if’s…but we each have our own story…our own path…and I take comfort that Mick had the Grace of Jesus…and so I think about seeing him again…he is Home…Home where there is no more pain or sorrow…and so this morning thinking I would stay in bed a little longer…when it seemed to say…go look at the sunrise…and I think Mick’s sunrise…and knowing the words it will include…Psalm 23.   

When I heard Mick was so bad…the words from this verse spoke to me…and my thoughts and prayers of him all night as I thought of the Mercy Me song Even If…and I hoped that Mick would get more time with his boys…with his grandchildren…with his family…but of all I wanted it to be well with his soul…

 

And with morning…the BB King song when Love Comes to Town just kept playing in my head…and so I pulled it up and the emotion that came over me as I sang along…and I remember thinking…catch the train Mick…and it wasn’t much longer I was told he had indeed jumped on…but I already knew… 

I had shared a picture from when we said goodbye to Uncle Walt from the album Those we loved along the way…Mick with his boys…his mama…and his granddaughter…my cousin Kim commenting…This pic just makes me realize that we don't know what tomorrow, next week, or next year will bring. Love your people, and hold them tight…

I seen a video of Mick singing a pretty dang good impersonation of Louis Armstrong…and I think to myself…What a wonderful world…nd thinking so many memories we missed…and my mind goes back to childhood of us putting on shows for our mom’s…playing in the mud after a rain…just laughter…and I find this version of What a Wonderful World…and think of what is said at the beginning…LOVE…

 

and my heart goes out to his family...my family…my aunt losing another son…a rule I think there should be that parents get to go first…though I not in charge of the rules…of his siblings losing a brother…of his son’s and grandchildren…and I know firsthand how it is not having your folks with you…but you know…they still are…because though the other fades…Faith, Hope, and Love abide…but the greatest of these is Love…and it transcends…See you on the other side Mick! 

 And as I was finishing this up...this song came on...think I will leave it here...

lyp