Michael

 I listen to podcasts and follows yours now. Michael holds a special place in my heart. I was in the same grade, shared classes, shared small talk, always nice to me and me him, always that smirk or grin I got used to. I can see his face turning to me in the row behind him to hand me a paper from the teacher. I had friends in that class I played sports with, practiced with every day, but it’s Michael’s face turning to hand me that paper that is always embedded in my high school brain. We weren’t in the same circles. I was the hip hop white kid who was an athlete. I happened to be somewhat intelligent and that’s the only reason I had some classes with him. I was fortunate to have known him. After high school I kind of moved away mentally from the AP crowd as I went to college but he was always inside of me, in my heart. I always said I felt lucky we spoke and knew each other and got along but the part I wish happened was that I said hey man, how’s it going? What are you into? What makes you happy? I wish. I’m 44 now. I still have that wish that some day he will answer me. Bob

“The highest tribute to the dead is not grief, but gratitude.” Thornton Wilder