When did you meet Mickey?
1976
Where did you meet him?
Through my parents. Egg Roast!
Memory of Mickey
Starting at the beginning. Mid 70’s. Mickey and Sharon. I remember Abby from Inman Middle School where I worked with Mrs. Suchanek and the children in the band. Spunky little blonde girl. So talented. Dad talked about Mickey being a shrink. That’s about all I knew.
The egg roasts with Grandy, Mickey, and the rest of the folks, were a huge highlight of the year for our family. I went to be with all the other kids, but my father went to be with Andy and Mickey. Our conversations usually revolved around where Andy would hide the egg this year. Which team we’d be on, etc… Dad loved to go several days before to get everything ready. The 3 old men had their great time together around that firepit. Wonderful company. Food. Baptisms. Music. Camping. Memories.
I remember Sharon being in charge of keeping up with how many eggs were remaining, counting the donations for the prizes and reminding us when a clue would be coming up. All of my boys were baptized down in Shiloh with these people who have become family. We all signed a document acknowledging our presence at this important event.
Years later, I would be baptized at Lake Grandview by Andy. This same core group of people attended. Signed as witnesses. Mickey gave me a book that was an important one for him. He signed it “Got me through 10 years – Love,
Mickey”
He left a couple of papers in the book for me.
One read: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. – Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
While Dad and Mickey had been friends for decades, I’d say the last few years of their friendship were the most treasured for me. Dad’s health declined significantly. Mickey was there for him the entire way. Both Mickey and Sharon came to stay in Nashville while testing was going on at Vanderbilt. Dad had difficulty walking and this hindered their mid-morning lunch time. Mickey would drive to the back of the house so Dad could make it to his Jeep for the ride. This went on until Dad couldn’t make it to the Jeep at all. Mickey visited daily. A true example of friendship. He spent the afternoon with Dad on the day before Dad died. They were able to be with me the morning Dad passed away. As I’m writing this, it doesn’t feel like justice is being done to this person and the relationship he had with my father. I bet they’ll be fine with it, though.
I’ve told my boys one of the most important things in life is to create a ripple effect. When you can help someone you need to help them, and that goodness will go on and on. I’m so fortunate to have been a part of Mickey and Sharon’s ripple in this world.
