Here's To Mike

This past week, we bid a final farewell to our Cork Popper friend Mike, who died last month. It wasn't a surprise, and while there are aspects in which knowing that makes some things a bit easier, it still doesn't take away the loss of someone you care about.

 

I met Mike and Barb as part of our Cork Popper group. Dick, who had recently completed a wine course at the local college organized the group to both share his knowledge and have fun! It seemed only natural that these two fun people would love the idea as much as we did and became part of our lives as well.

 

When Cork Poppers was at Mike and Barb's house, we knew we were in for a treat! Their country home was always warm and welcoming. Mike and Barb loved books and there were times when they said "bring along some book you are done with!"  I think I may have come home with more than I brought! He enjoyed art and I always enjoyed seeing something new he had created.

 

Another time, shortly after Covid restrictions were loosened, we went to the Jiffy Mix factory in Chelsea Michigan -- five of us on a field trip! Mike went with the Other Mike in one car, while Barb, Kate and I were behind them in another. We could only imagine the conversation, these two Marine vets who had little patience for bad drivers on the highway (among other things!) In case you can't tell, that's Mike next to me in our factory protection bonnets. Notice, the men did not remove their masks for the photo op!

 

Although Barb and I became close friends, I didn't know Mike as well outside of our gatherings. (He was happy to leave Barb and me talking about crafts, making things and cooking, though we did have some great conversations about art, books and politics!) But if you read my Cork Popper posts, you know we are a lively group who enjoy wine -- drinking it and learning about it. (Though the later the tastings go, the less we learn. Funny, that happens!)

 

Mike always had the saucy comment, the sardonic quip about this wine or that -- one which would end up in a blog post! He was feisty and had his opinions, which he was happy to vociferously share. (Fortunately, I agreed with most of them!) 

 

And then there was that twinkle in his eye.  

 

Mike was one of our "Guys of the Grape," (Bob is missing from this pic, which is before he joined.) They got on well, but then, we all did. And we always will.

 

We've all changed in the twenty or more years we've been tasting wine together. We have more wrinkles, more hair on the faces and less on the head; a lot more gray and sometimes a lot more pounds! We've gone through cataracts, Covid, broken bones and illnesses. Perhaps that makes us closer.

 

Mike's stroke a few years ago, took us all by surprise. His decline over of the past three years became more noticeable. Yet, until it was no longer feasible, he was lifting a glass as well. He wasn't ready to give up or give in, until his body made it impossible for him to be "Mike" anymore. That changes us. It changes all of us.  

 

When we next met again (in a post coming soon) our group was missing an important person. But somehow, I have a feeling his spirit was floating around the room, taking a sip or two, and making us smile.

 

So here's to Mike. You'll be sorely missed. You already are.