Memory submitted by Jack Senterfitt

When did you meet Mickey?
1975

Where did you meet him?
When we first babysat Abby, through Morningside Babysitting Coop

Memory of Mickey
In 1980 I was riding my bicycle home from work in downtown Atlanta and was hit by a car, almost killed, taken to Grady Hospital. Mickey came to the hospital to run interference with the doctors for Trisha, to help her make decisions on moving me to Piedmont, etc. My first conscious memory after that accident was in the ambulance when I was moved, I looked up and Mickey's face was the only thing I saw–he rode in the ambulance with me. He and Sharon kept up the vigil for the whole time I was in the hospital, visiting, Mickey talking to me about the psychological impact of such a severe physical injury, how he was going to use my case in his teaching doctors how to be more empathetic to this aspect. And after I got home, he and Andy Lipscomb came over and built a wheelchair ramp to our backdoor for me. I can still remember his laughter as he and Andy worked. He counseled me on what to expect as I healed, especially how the psychological aspect would likely eventually outweigh the physical.

He was right, of course, and when it did all come crashing down around me, Mickey came to our house late one night and stayed with me through probably the longest night of my life, helping me through this crisis and convincing me of how much I needed continuing counseling. So Mickey quite literally saved my life, like he did for so many others–and for that I'm forever indebted to him, but also to Sharon and Abby for being willing to share him and allow him to do what he did for me.

Over the years Trisha and I spent a lot of time with Mickey and Sharon–camping at our secluded spot on Lake Altoona–where Mickey built little sailboats with Todd, who was just a toddler, and then he lit the little boats so the flame's heat would propel them out into the water. Todd was fascinated, especially when it rained most of the day and Mickey convinced him that it really wasn't raining! Here was this brilliant man, one of the smartest people I've ever met, who was sitting down in the muddy shores of the lake, making little sailboats with a small child, and having so much fun doing it–pretty awesome!

In 2013, when Trisha and I were RVing around the country, Mickey and Sharon flew to Baltimore and we spent a week together visiting Ft. McHenry, Annapolis, the Civil War Museum of Medicine in Frederick, MD, the Amish country and Gettysburg Battlefield. Especially in the medical museum it was fascinating to hear Mickey's comments, as a doctor, on how the triage system developed during this war has changed so little since then. What fun it was, with Mickey's sense of humor keeping us all laughing.

So many memories of Mickey through the years, staying up all night roasting the pig for the neighborhood picnic; then the year after of my bike accident, he and Andy driving his pickup to our house and lifting me in my wheelchair up into the truck bed and driving through the park to the pig! And one recent memory, of Mickey's speech at the celebration of his and Sharon's 50th anniversary. Mickey had something humorous to say about every guest who was there, yet his comments were also subtly profound, as he described the life he and Sharon had shared with all of the people there, over the years. And as he ended it, his moving tribute to Sharon and the love they had shared, was something for the ages. Yes, Mickey was brilliant, accomplished and successful in his profession. But most of all, he was true to himself and one of the most down to earth people ever. Godspeed to you, Mickey!

One Reply to “Memory submitted by Jack Senterfitt”

  1. I remember that time so well. I was in the Grady waiting room that night. Or else I dreamed up a very vivid pseudo-memory that I was. What a time. Dad genuinely cared about you. And I’m glad you two were friends already. He’s great in a crisis. (Understatement of the century)

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