I recently attended a service for another former D-Land custodial cast member and was doing some searches on the Internet and stumbled across this site.  I am very sad to discover the news of Mike’s passing. I worked with ML for a number of years at the park.  He was definitely one of the more easy going people in custodial and never seemed to let the work get to him.  I will always remember him as one of the most decent and caring people I worked with in my time at D-Land (which was quite a number of years as it turns out).  My belated prayers go out to ML’s family.

ML ~ Grief is a willful thing.  It enters my heart when I least expect it... at the movies, seeing someone on a bike or a motorcycle, noticing someone standing in a posture that reminds me of you.  You are strongly in my heart today and the tears make it a little difficult to type this, but I feel the need to share right now, in this moment.  I miss you and love you, ML, and I can’t imagine that the day will come when my heart doesn’t hurt for what you had to endure.  I want to believe that you can hear me when I talk to you.  I want to believe that you are here, still with us – but without any pain and sorrow.  But mostly, I just want to be able to turn back the clock and do so many things differently so that you could still be here, in the flesh, with your family – where you belong.

ML was always willing to lend a helping hand.  He had been coming over to our new house once or twice a week to hang out, and always offered to help with any yard work that needed to be done.  Since our yard is much bigger than the one at our last house, I was happy to take him up on his offer.  :)  This photo was taken on July 24, 2011.  This particular day, my hubby put him to work mowing our lawn.  ML didn't complain... he was happy to do it.  If he was still around, I know he would have probably been over today, helping me water my potted plants and pull a few weeds.  It had become our weekly ritual.  Then we'd enjoy a nice cup of coffee, hang out and talk, maybe play some "Words with Friends," and wait for Mike to come home from work.  He'd always stay for dinner and watch a little TV with us before heading home.

I'll think of him every time I'm out in the yard, doing the things we used to do together.  When I look at this photo, I can picture him out there with me.  I wish we were able to have more of those times together....