15 to 20 years ago, Michael planted 42 big yellow King Alfred daffodils, the kind with the huge, tubular trumpets.  They were his favorite flowers.  The little garden he selected was circular, and so he chose to plant the bulbs in peace symbol design.  That spring -and subsequent ones- produced a profusion of blooms all expressing love, happiness, and peace!  Over the years, mostly because of the drought, the blooms decreased in number.  For the last 5-6 years, only the leaves made the daffys' presence known.  

For the last couple of years, I’ve wanted to plant more daffodils, but found myself teary-eyed every time I looked at a bag of bulbs.  This year I decided that tulips would be the flowers to bring me Spring.  (I planted 32 purple, yellow, orange, and pink ones on Christmas Day.  They started poking up from the soil on my birthday.)

The day before Super Bowl, I noticed something in his garden, now overgrown with oregano, oxalis, and daffodil leaves.  I went over and discovered one daffodil shoot, complete with bud!  Daffodils grow before your eyes, and every hour on Feb. 6th, I watched that flower's stem grow taller, the little bud beginning to swell, elongate and bend.  I could see the golden yellow under the green sheath that protected the petals.

On Feb. 7th - Mike’s birthday- it bloomed.

I was in Mike's 1959 class at Hillsdale High in San Mateo.  I remember his

outgoing personality, distinctive laugh, and joy for life. He performed as part of a rock 'n roll group for assemblies.  The red hair, the shades and playing the sax

and wearing a bright blue shirt.  He marched by his own drummer while the

uptight teachers grumbled that he wasn't living up to their perception of Eisenhower

era youth.  May you rest in peace 'ol high school buddy.

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I spoke to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached out to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my hand on you, I smiled and said " it's me."


You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me....

* a beautiful poem from unkown source - A reminder that our love ones are always right there in our hearts

While a bit of a small photo, I couldn't resist including, because this view of Mike's pure joy and happiness is the way I will picture him the rest of my life.
- Niece, Colleen
 

Jumping into this waterfall, in our clothes, because Mike was so inspired by the moment (and of course I followed!) is one of the most memorable and tangible memories of my life (and this photo was taken in 1978!).  I have loved waterfalls ever since.  But this one, and this trip with Uncle Mike, will leave an indelible mark for the rest of my life.  I am so grateful to him for the experience and memories.  PS - Make sure to see the "Waterfall Part II" photo.

It was during Mike's struggle with kidney cancer in 1985 (that would be Life #5 or 6) that I heard "I'll Remember You" (by Bob Dylan) for the first time.  It became our song.   

I’ll remember you
When I’ve forgotten all the rest
You to me were true
You to me were the best
When there is no more
You cut to the core
Quicker than anyone I knew
When I’m all alone
In the great unknown
I’ll remember you

I’ll remember you
At the end of the trail
I had so much left to do
I had so little time to fail
There’s some people that
You don’t forget
Even though you’ve only seen ’m one time or two
When the roses fade
And I’m in the shade
I’ll remember you

Didn’t I, didn’t I try to love you?
Didn’t I, didn’t I try to care?
Didn’t I sleep, didn’t I weep beside you
With the rain blowing in your hair?

I’ll remember you
When the wind blows through the piney wood
It was you who came right through
It was you who understood
Though I’d never say
That I done it the way
That you’d have liked me to
In the end
My dear sweet friend
I’ll remember you