Its never easy to say goodbye...

In fact, sometimes its one of the most painful things we as humans have to do.  But alas, it's time for me to say goodbye to another friend who's losing his battle with cancer.

My heart is breaking into so many pieces as I type this.  I just cannot imagine a world with out MG in it. 

MG came to Wa for work and we got together to have beers - I think this was in 2007 or 2008. I can't remember

I met MG at TASIS my junior year. We were in many of the same classes since the junior class was so small.  My first real memory of him was sitting in American History class and him passing a note to me asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up. That note got passed back and forth between us a dozen times during class.  At the end of it I was going to draw maps in history books and he was going to drive cabs.

A lot has changed since those days.

Hello 80's. Prom night. That's me on the left, MG, and best friend CN.

He was one of my many Mike crushes.  I've had so many crushes on boys named Mike that I've lost count.  But I adored him.  He was so kind, gentle, sarcastic, and a bit nerdy at times that I just couldn't help myself.  It would never be though. We'd grow to become such great friends that dating just wasn't in the cards.  I'm glad now because I shutter to think what a break up in high school would have cost me. 

Through the years we've kept touch periodically.  And yet no matter the amount of time that went by we could pick up our conversation as if time hadn't passed.  I cherish those times now.

MG is dying. He was diagnosed with melanoma a couple of years ago and kept from us just how bad it really is.  I've only just learned that he won't be with us much more than a couple of weeks.  Hospice is his home now. 

In my walk down memory lane tonight I pulled out my year book from my senior year. TASIS was different in that each senior, or two seniors got a page they got to design and write whatever they wanted to and put whatever photos they wanted.

Naturally I wrote something to MG:
"Mike - Thanks for "caring"...our inside jokes have kept me laughing all year.  I will return now to the "real Washington" where apples and slugs rule the world.  I love ya Verde. I probably don't even realize yet how much you've impacted me life."

Hmph! If I had only known.

MG wrote this to me (and I cry now as I type it):
Jennifer - As far as I'm concerned there are no words to describe how I feel about you. I've thought about it since St.Moritz and I realize that I don't deserve a friend as good as you. I love you and I'm going to miss you lots (and that still doesn't say what I feel)."

Well MG...I love you and I'm really going to miss you too.  Be in peace my friend.

1997 Class Reunion - 10 years

2007 Class Reunion - 20 years