Tuesday, June 24, 2008

45

Today would have been Mike's forty-fifth birthday.

I'm going to avoid the temptation to post a long birthday tribute to my brother because I don't know if I could keep it upbeat and happy like a birthday should be. It's been over ten months now since Mike died and I think this has been the hardest day for me yet. I woke up earlier than usual for a workday and spent a weepy half hour or so with Charlie in my lap looking through pictures of his daddy in happier times. After a few minutes, Toonces curled up on the floor beside us to see what all the boo-hooing was about. Rather than bring everybody down, I guess I'll just post some of those pics and leave it at that.

I sure do miss ya, Mikey.











11 comments:

Jamar said...

I had this day in my calendar and I've been looking at this day for months. I didn't know how I'd feel/deal with it, or even if I should say something about it on the internet/s, but I'm glad you did, Matt. I Miss the guy every day... I'mg lad to hear Heroes went well, and hope that we can do things at Baltimore.

Christian D. Leaf said...

Hang in there, Mafus. Mike's still with you as are all of us. Get your butt over tonight, we'll raise a toast and do some sketching in Mike's honor.

Anonymous said...

Hey Matt,
Hang in there.

Do try and get your butt to Leaf's, like he said.
I'll raise a toast down here in Florida. :(

Heywood Jablomie said...

matt,
hang in there man.
thanks for sharing these pix. i say this all the time, but i really do wish i had gotten to meet him. i keep seeing people mention baltimore, are you going to be there?

glad heroes went well also.

renecarol said...

I've been missing Mike a lot today. When exactly do I start to get over the loss? Anyway, I hadn't even thought about what day it is and made the connection.

Paul Rogers said...

Hiya! First I want to celebrate Mike's birthday with a big, tall, frosty glass of Keystone Light! Fill that puppy up and drink it down with a wink & a nod to my best, best, bestest buddy that I have ever had in this whole wide world, Mike Wieringo! Followed by happy thoughts & a sad heart, he would not want me to focus on the later, but I do, as we all do, but Mike, with that great big belly laugh that I will never, never, ever forget would say, 'Let's Party With That Keystone!' ('Ya big dope, Now get me a real beer!:)! He would laugh and we would party and we would celebrate comics & friends & the great big party we went to every year since 1985, the Heroes Con in Charlotte! I just came back from Heroes this past Sunday & I can tell you that it was fun & exciting & everything that it has always been in the past. Everything except Mike. He wasn't here. For the first time in twenty-two years he was not here. Not in person. But I did feel his presence with everyone I spoke to, every story I heard, every memory that I shared with the good people that loved him and will continue to forever love him, his brother Matt, Suzanne, Todd, Craig, Richard, Nathan, Cully, Mark & so many more. I love you and I will never forget you, my friend. My buddy, Mike, this birthday toast is for you...a big 'ol frosty glass of Keystone Light, raised high, celebrating your life & your friendship. Thanks for letting me be a part of your life. Your friend always, Paul.

Cully Hamner said...

Happy berfday, Mikey. And keep the fire burning, Matt.

Scott said...

Sorry I couldn't be at Heroes to visit with you and Suzanne, Matt. I miss you guys.

I love seeing any pictures of Mike laughing because my brain automatically fills up with memories of his booming laughter.

POST MORE!

PJ said...

Nothing I could say could ease the pain of losing your brother but, if you can take comfort in anything let it be that you are not alone in missing him and further, I am sure he would be quite proud of your efforts to keep his memory alive.

Squeeze said...

Thanks for all the kind words from everyone. I miss Mike so much. I met/saw so many nice folks at Heroes this year and I so appreciate them treating me like family too.

The birthday cake picture threw me for a loop because I had forgotten about that. Don't know why but for some reason that year I just had to make Mike a cake and I had that new Spidey cake pan. I had to con the tough ladies at the entrance to the convention hall at Heroes to let me bring it in to him. I think that was the ONLY picture we took that whole convention. I think that he and Todd and Craig ate all but one piece Matt told me later. I hope that Mike knew how much we loved him. I have to agree with Brother Paul that I miss Mike's booming laugh the most. So many folks miss him and loved him. Happy Birthday BroNLaw. I miss you terribly.

Unknown said...

Matt,

Thanks for sharing these pics, they are some great shots of the Mike we all knew and loved!

Great seeing you guys in Charlotte, but yeah, we sure did miss him...