Month: March 2017

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Memory submitted by Maureen Klesmer

Where did you meet him?
Atlanta

Memory of Mickey
Dr. Nardo was a good man, a brilliant psychiatrist, and someone who earned the respect of his vast network of colleagues, friends and others who knew him.

He made a difference in countless lives in countless ways, including mine. I will remember him with deep respect and a debt of gratitude.

I extend my deepest sympathies to Dr. Nardo’s family, friends, colleagues, and others who mourn his death. He has left behind a lasting legacy and may his memory be for a blessing.

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Memory submitted by Diane Wells

When did you meet Mickey?
2005

Where did you meet him?
Jasper, Georgia

Memory of Mickey
Reading all of the stories about Mickey makes me wish we had known him longer. “Don and I are so sorry for your loss.” Those words can’t begin to express the reality of how we feel, but they are the words we have. Mickey enriched our lives in many ways – mostly just by BEING Mickey but also by sharing his time and talents with us. He volunteered to “fix” the Mountain Steward’s web page, which turned into over a decade of “fixing” it. He introduced us to Bob Wells when he insisted that Bob come up and learn about the marker trees. That led to Mickey, Bob, Don and I traveling around Georgia, Arkansas, and Missouri filming those trees. Don and Bob would hike off into the wilderness and Mickey and I would wait by the car. Our conversations while waiting allowed me to began to see a bit of the amazing man everyone knew he was. Mountain Stewards would not be the Mountain Stewards of today without all of Mickey’s contributions.

The second story I want to share is short. Because of Mickey – who said to Don “Do not pass go! Go to the hospital now.” I still have a husband. I know Don was near death after 13 solid days and nights of horrible hiccups after he returned home from having his appendix removed. Mickey came up to the house (about a 14 mile trip), prescribed some medication, drove into town to pick it up and then drove back up the mountain to deliver it. It took several times and a couple of days before Mickey found the medication that worked. And, Mickey just kept driving up and down the mountain until Don quit hiccuping. (I should probably mention here that I had a broken leg and could not drive) Mickey’s concern, compassion, caring (and words that other have already used) were evident in our lives and, I believe, in the lives of everyone he met.

Goodnight Mickey, we shall remember you with love and miss you greatly.

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Memory submitted by Micah Lipscomb

When did you meet Mickey?
1975

Where did you meet him?
Morningside

Memory of Mickey
At my father’s memorial service, Mickey shared a deeply moving account about my father. I went back and listened to this to hear my dear friend Mickey’s voice. Mickey shared a story about something his mom taught him.

Mickey said: “I was about five and I was planning my life and telling her [Mickey’s mom] all these things I was going to be. And I asked her what she thought. And she said, ‘I think I just want you to be a kind person.’ I thought about that for about five years and then I went back and asked her what that meant. Because I thought she meant be good, and I couldn’t bring it off. She said, You know where you treat everyone like they’re the same kind you are, that’s what kind is.”

Mickey attributed this kindness to my father, but I think his mother was proud of Mickey because he too was a kind and good person. This trait of Mickey was best shown in his magic with children. He had a special gift to relate to children on their level and make them feel special. I think this was rooted in his profound empathy for others. He accepted who people were and could relate to them. When you were talking with Mickey, you knew he cared about you. I have warm memories of playing with Mickey as a child, and it was always a treat to bring my son to visit with Mickey. We often left his house with some toy that Mickey gave Owen. Mickey lived in the moment with others. What better thing can we ever do with one another?

Mickey was fun. At the annual Egg Roast our family hosted, an award was given out every year called “the Six Flags over Mickey award.” This was started after Mickey gave rides on the dirt road though our farm in his jeep. It was a rutted out muddy road and Mickey broke an axel on his jeep. Sure it was probably reckless, but damn it was fun to be a passenger as his jeep careened through the mud.

After my father passed away, I realized I never learned all my dad knew about bar-b-que. Despite sitting around the fire every year with my dad, Al, Mickey and others, there was a lot I didn’t know. I was thankful that Mickey could share some of his wisdom with me. He will always be on my mind whenever I bar-b-que. The most important thing I learned from Mickey is to be yourself. Mickey was unique and did not conform to other people’s expectations of him. I loved him for that.

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Memory submitted by Dan Joslyn

When did you meet Mickey?
1989

Where did you meet him?
At a party with Susan Shelton

Memory of Mickey
Mickey, when I met him, was a whirling-dervish as he was cooking for thirty at a party for analysts and their families. Always able to do several things at once, we talked for a while. A good listener with caring eyes, as I recall. Over the years, we talked about everything from the Civil War to Buddhism. But the thing I appreciate most is he told Susan 26 years ago that it was “Okay” to marry me. After I proposed she checked with Mickey. So without Mickey there would be no Susan in my life (smile). We have a collective love of Mickey that is a wonderful thing indeed… many bows Mickey for enlightening my life.

Dan Joslyn

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Memory submitted by Tim

When did you meet Mickey?
1983

Where did you meet him?
Atlanta, His office at GMHI

Memory of Mickey
There are few days that rest in my mind as perfect, but the one sailing with Mickey is one of them. I am one of those poor individuals who love sailing but have trouble with wind speed, wind direction, angle of the sail, which rope (line??) goes where. What my father used to call “common sense”. So it was with some anxiety that I set off with Mickey. Miracle of miracles, all the lines were color-coded, so instead of “haul up the mizzenmast, let go the poop line” it was “OK, pull on the red line, let go of the blue one. Duck and cross over to the other side” My first and only time enjoying sailing without it being spoiled by a cloud of worry over what I was supposed to do. Mickey could always put people at ease.

There are many ways I admired and loved him. Other memories come rolling back, but this is the one I remember the best.

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Memory submitted by R.K. Oliver

When did you meet Mickey?
2012

Where did you meet him?
Abby’s Place

Memory of Mickey
I only met Mickey two or three times when he was in town to visit Abby, but I heard a lot about him from her. From my experience, he was somewhat quiet, though I heard he was often outspoken. He was generous; I think he picked up the check for the whole table. It was clear that, while being his daughter was at times difficult, Abby really admired, respected, and loved him.

“I was sitting there, reading my bible…”

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Memory submitted by Mike T

When did you meet Mickey?
2011

Where did you meet him?
his blog

Memory of Mickey
One of my children had severe behavioral problems in grade school/ secondary school, and I had to deal with researching all the medicines they gave him or wanted to give him. (He is doing better now) Mickey’s blog was one of the shining lights of real science for those of use who are not steeped in biochemistry & medical data analysis, but can get by — and need more unbiased information to help the ones we love. I will miss Mickey.

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Memory submitted by MaryAnne Gaunt

When did you meet Mickey?
1974

Where did you meet him?
Morningside/Atlanta

Memory of Mickey
I’ve known the Nardos since the 70s when we were neighbors and in the same babysitting co-op. Some time around the late 70s or early 80s, Mickey and Sharon hosted a work party to prepare for the annual Pig Roast for the Morningside-Lenox Park neighborhood (MLPA). Mickey and Andy Lipscomb were a couple of the “old guys” who conceived of and implemented the event which required sleeping out all night in a neighborhood park where the pig was roasting in a hole and the men enjoyed the company of their kids, beverages and probably a cigar or two.

So at the work party, while others shredded the cabbage for slaw, or prepared beans, or BBQ sauces, Mickey and I were given the job of adding the best ingredient of the Brunswick Stew. We were charged with separating the “edibles” from the rest of the pig head that just came out of the pressure cooker. Andy, who was almost overcome by the odor after opening the cooker, stood in the background to watch. The smell was outrageous. The many undefinables that we dug out of the pot certainly were nasty, but when I pulled out a well formed pig ear, that almost was my undoing. In the middle of one of those uncontrollable, involuntary shudders, that often comes with a gag reflex, I looked up at Mickey. His look of steadfast resolve and calm demeanor, despite the gasp from Andy far behind in the shadows, stifled any negative response on my part. And so we both carried on without words until the pot was cleared with morsels and stuff divided.

I remember that look, that even hinted of his own revulsion; which helped me move on in spite of all my desire to do otherwise. I know that look has calmed me many times, over the years, when I might have preferred a different response besides steadfast resolve. That look changed my makeup forever. Thank you Mickey. It was an honor to know you.

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Memory submitted by Carole Maddux

When did you meet Mickey?
2009

Where did you meet him?
Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center

Memory of Mickey
I had the honor of working with Mickey for almost 8 years. I saw him perform miracles with patients who had been sentenced to the hell of imprisonment in mental illness. They broke free of their bonds and learned what joy could feel like. Some of that was due to his great intellect and understanding of psycho-pharmaceuticals—both how to use them and when not to. But most of that was that the patients truly knew that he cared, wasn’t judging them, and would advocate for them.

In the world that Good Samaritan serves, non-judgmental caring and advocacy can be rare—especially among the poor and mentally ill. I think few of us can imagine what a light-filled God-send that is to our patients. They will all miss him very much.

As will I. I have lost a great partner in the fight to bring good health and quality of life to the people we serve. Someone who got it. I don’t know what we will do without him.

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Memory submitted by Allison Williams

When did you meet Mickey?
1966

Where did you meet him?
When I was in diapers (as a child). Second Cousin-in-law

Memory of Mickey
Mickey was an honest, kind, intelligent, engaging, and generous man. I enjoyed talking and hanging with him as I did with Sharon and Abby. They were bold and brave enough to take me and my newborn son into their home after my husband was hospitalized in Atlanta due to a massive head injury (car accident). Mickey’s knowledge of head injuries and brain afflictions was reassuring and comforting during a time when unknown variables were plenty.
Although a trying season for me and my family, I am forever grateful to Mickey, Sharon, and Abby for their love and compassion. Thank you!