I Think He Would Want The Laughter To Carry On....

Hi,




The guy in the first picture wasn't famous, he never won  a Grammy, or an Oscar, he never wrote a best selling....well, anything. But somehow, since he passed suddenly and shockingly, Thursday morning, I have seen and heard a lot of people refer to him as a legend.


You may wonder; How can a regular 59 year old guy, with a regular job, and a regular family, be a legend?

Well, as one of his many nieces, I will tell you how I think that may have happened......



Mike, may have led a pretty regular life, but he really was anything but regular. To us, his nieces and nephews he was kind of a rock star. He could play Guitarzan for us on the piano and sing every part while doing so. There was always a joke or a story living just under the surface, waiting for the right, and/or maybe not-so-right moment to surface, inevitably getting some laughs and an occasional eye roll. With him, you always felt included in the joke.

It was kind of cool to be part of the middle of the pack of nieces and nephews. We got to see him as the young, single, goofy uncle, and then watch as he became a husband, Dad, and Grandpa. We got to witness him getting into trouble with Grandma and Grandpa for his various teenage infractions, then, later, babysit his kids.

He was a kind soul, full of fun and laughter. Never judging others, for he never expected perfection.

He worked hard, loved hard, and played hard. It would be pretty tough to find a more authentic person. He was a lovable ham, forever the entertainer of the family, with a laugh that filled a room.


Whenever he would come to any of our karaoke shows, at some point throughout the evening he would come up, give me a big hug and whisper, "Ya know, Mugs, the show ain't over 'til you sing the one that makes me cry."


No, he wasn't famous... 59, and not a single Grammy to his name, but a legend, at least to us, all the same.


As laughing was one of his favourite things to do, I thought I would share with you the second photo. This is what a 2 year old looks like after about 5 handfuls of cotton candy take hold. I think one Auntie might be shooting for a legend status all her own..............


I think he would want the laughter to carry on............



As for the next few days..........



There will be time spent with family, sharing both tears and laughter...........

Life will carry on, work will be completed, errands ran............

I will do my best to use wisely, my time between the sunsets......................



Until next time..................



May your laughter fill the heavens raining down on the ones who will miss you most.
May you watch over those left behind, help them walk through this heartbreak, stay close.

May the eyes now filled with grieving tears, someday, once again, cry from exuberant laughter.
May the unsteady steps again become a sure-footed stride, ready to face the next chapter.

May you know that even if brief, your life on earth was not in vain. You gave the best of yourself to those still here.
May you see that the gifts of laughter, kindness, and acceptance passed on to your kids will keep you forever near.


Until next time.........................




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