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Keeping Mike's memory alive & fighting ALS
Memories
Copyright © 2024 Michael Thomson | Phoenix Rising
WWMD- What would Mikey Do
I think of Mikey every day, like all the time. He’s never really not in my thoughts, even when I am not consciously focusing on him, he’s always there in the recesses of my mind. Missing him is just a matter of life. I go thru periods where it’s more acute. Yesterday I took Bodhi and Offee to run errands. It’s been raining like crazy here, and pretty cold. I was driving back from the north side of town, down a street that turns into a pretty long stretch of road without any residences, no houses or apartments. As I’m driving I come up to and pass two people walking down the right side of the road, one about ten feet in front of the other, both with their hands carrying multiple bags and they are getting drenched as they trudge along. Without thinking, something told me to turn around and ask if they wanted a ride. It was just this feeling that came over me and I just automatically switched lanes so as to make a u turn. As I was driving back I thought yes, it’s the right thing to do, they are a long way from their home, being that the first potential area their home could be was at least over a mile or so away. And they were carrying what I thought were groceries. As I came back around and pulled over, I rolled down the passenger window and yelled out “do you want a ride?”. The two people turned out to be a man and a woman. When I stopped, they had stopped. They hesitated, then the man said ok. The woman looked a bit more reserved but she followed him as he began to approach my car. I waved for them to come over and I got out and opened the back door for them. It turned out they weren’t carrying groceries. They were carrying bags of cans and plastic bottles. Some full bottles of beverages that they must have pulled out from a dumpster. Like four of five bags each. I quickly realized they were homeless. They got in my car and I got back in and said just tell me where to go. They thanked me and said god bless to me multiple times. I said no problem, this is terrible weather to be out in. They asked how my day was going. I asked their names. Mona and Darrell. They directed me to an industrial area where they were living in a tent in the grassy field behind a food distribution center. As they got out I asked if they had blankets. They said yes, some wet but a couple still dry. I told them I will be back. I’m going to bring you sleeping bags. Oh no you don’t have to do that. No I want to. Will you be able to hear me if I honk? Yes, yes we can. Thanked me again and Mona kept saying may god bless you tenfold. So I left and went to target and bought them two sleeping bags, some hand and foot warmers and then some food from McDonald’s. I returned to the back parking lot behind the distribution center and honked my horn. Took a few honks, then I see a person emerge from out in the field. It’s Mona. I walk thru the field towards her as she walks towards me. I hand over everything and she says again god bless you and may this be returned to you tenfold. Then she reached out for a hug and we hugged for a few seconds. Then I said bye Mona and walked back to my car. As I was driving away and heading back home, Mike popped into my head. And I knew. I did this because of him. Because he would have done it. And because he couldn’t, he had me do it. I felt this feeling of peace and love wash over me. That feeling that I miss so much. I knew it was him. I knew that feeling of love I felt was him saying I love you, you did good, I’m proud of you. It was that unconditional love from him that I’ve been missing. Thank you Michael Thomson, I love you. 💜
One year, my dear brother, one year. There is so much I miss about you. So few in this world have as huge a heart, spirit and brain. I’d still give anything for just one more call, but I know in my heart that you are truly free. Keep those signs coming and I will keep dancing and singing your song.
Brother mike is reaching me through music again. His timing impeccable. Avett Bro’s. No Hard Feelings and Liberia’s Luminosa and Lacrymosa.are good additions to his playlist. Love always Mikey……all ways indeed.
What a beautiful memory to share. I love it and miss him so much.
Ten years ago today, on Mike’s 39th birthday, he and I got up at 5:30 a.m. to drive to the summit of Mt. Diablo to watch the sunrise. Not remembering that the state park doesn’t open until 8:00 a.m.
So we hiked around until the gates opened and drove up into the clouds. The summit was completely fogged in, swirling white as far as the eye could see, which was about 6 feet in every direction. So we put on some music and took a nap in the car.
We woke up and drove down the mountain to the San Ramon Denny’s to get Mike his free Grand Slam breakfast. He was so excited.
Then we drove across the Bay to his place in the Outer Sunset of San Francisco, grabbed his boards and wetsuit, and headed to Pacifica so he could surf Linda Mar. After that, we met my sister Tina and her family at the former Tiki Tom’s in Oakland to celebrate his birthday.
It was such a fun day. (And we were young enough that we could still do all that in one day.)
I miss him every minute of every day. Today especially.
Thank you for posting this beautiful memory! My heart is so full to see Mike remembered here.