I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all, so please forgive me if this seems incoherent. I'm quite scatterbrained at the time and expect to be for quite a while I guess. The past few weeks have been rather tough for all of us, and a great many of us there are. Yesterday's news was none other than devastating. Mike didn't just touch the lives of those he encountered, he enlightened them. He changed them. He literally saved mine. I was never more ready for my life to end than I was 6 months ago. The pain and anguish was so severe I cursed my own existence every minute of every day. Mike wasn't alone, many many great souls reached out to try and help me. However Mike was pivotal. A few deep conversations with him had more impact than 100s of hours of professional counseling. I was never so lost, but he knew exactly where I was. I didn't know who I was anymore, but he knew exactly who I am. I had lost so much along the way, I didn't even know what to look for. He knew exactly what I needed most, and where I could find it. He knew me better than I know myself, and he's the closest thing to a "big brother" I ever could have had. So much so he would drop everything to help my parents when Becca or I couldn't. He gave and gave, even when he had none for himself. My parents loved him, and we're incredibly grateful, just as I am. I know almost all of you have stories like mine. I don't think I know anyone whose cage didn't get rattled by Mike in one way or another. His spirit, perspective, and aura were uniquely radiant. His light could penetrate the darkest depths anyone could experience. He changed the world, and made it better. Just like butter. One person at a time. He certainly buttered this Biskit over the years.

Mike, my brother, rest easy, and fly high! I guess all the summer plans we had just weren't in the cards, at least in your "meat vessel" I'm so grateful for all the times we shared and the miles we walked. Even when the rain felt like nails. I owe you my life my friend, and if I could have torn out this tattered heart and given you more days I certainly would have. I know your still here. I know your everywhere now. I will keep the promises I made you. I will keep walking the paths to happiness you gave me. I will be here... in the "PRESENT" and do my best to be a better man, in your honor. See ya around, sooner or later. This isn't goodbye. THANK YOU FOR EVERY MOMENT, even those yet to come. I love you MR. SUNSHINE!

❤❤❤❤❤❤

☀☀☀☀☀☀

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Mike Mike Mike, 

Great memories aren't necessarily made when things go as planned, rather when they go the exact opposite. Like when you, little Kevin, Krystie, Courtney and of course Daisy spent the hot summer weekend with Scott and I at our cabin and the tornados hit so we had no power, little food and no water. We made the best out of an unplanned experience. We laughed a lot; we just had genuine fun. You cooked breakfast for everyone by stirring up eggs in a sauce pan on the propane grill and asked how everyone wanted their eggs...pretty sure there wasn't really an option, but no one complained. 

Or the time we decided to finally go up north skiing, but the weather was so bad the closed the ski hill. Leave it to you, you talked your way into letting us go skiing anyway. We had the whole place to ourselves, you, me and Scott. Yeah it was only 2 runs. But it was still a day we won't forget.  

So many times last minute plans became lifelong memories (last minute concerts, parties, you name it...). 

When you would get something you don't say, "I got this" or " I got that". You say "look what we all have now." What was yours you considered to be everyone else's too. 

Then, there is Maria. Scott had told me you were "hanging" with a "cool chick" and said "You are going to like her." When I met her, you could just sense how natural and authentic you were together. You made each other smile and it was obvious you were  made for each other. So glad your last few years could be filled with such happiness together.

Your infamous saying "The Universe will provide." So positive, never scared, living life to the fullest. You weren't scared to leave this world. You were excited to know of a place that some day you could be laid to rest, be one with the earth and become a tree. 

You touched so many people and so many lives. Memories will live on for days, months, years. But now Mike, you don't have to climb trees anymore, you can be your own tree.