RIP Mike

This morning I received word that my cousin, Mike, passed away very early today. He'd been battling some unknown problem for far too long and his heart just gave out from fighting so hard. He was a very young man and was the kind of person you just wanted to hang out with. He was a hydro-geologist and absolutely loved being outdoors. Being a geologist and a fellow rock lover, he thought that my Suwannee Nights soap was pretty cool because it looks like Lapis Lazuli. I've been told he kept a bar on his desk.

Mike was much younger than I and when we were growing up I didn't know him all that well and truthfully, I guess I never did get to know him as much as I wish I had. But as I said, he was just one of those guys you wanted to hang out with. He was pretty quiet but had a wicked sense of humor and I sure wish I had gotten to try his home brewed beer before he moved from IL to TX. In recent years, Mike and his wife lived in/near Austin TX. My older sister socialized with them quite often and I know this is a hard loss for her because Mike was the only blood relative she had in TX.

Mike loved the outdoors, he loved his wife and dogs, and of course his mom and brother. Sadly, Mike's dad passed away the day after Christmas a few years back. Mike has gone to join him and I know that somewhere Jim and Mike are reunited. I'm sad and angry that Mike was taken so young and that he suffered and struggled at the end of his short life.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends and I'll always wish I'd known him better. I definitely will take the time to get to know my other cousins better. Be at peace Mike and know you were and are loved by many.