“I don't like food that's too carefully arranged; it makes me think that
the chef is spending too much time arranging and not enough time cooking - If I
wanted a picture I'd buy a painting - Andy Rooney”
There are songs that jog your memory, there are pictures that send memories rushing in - then there is food…
I am so simple when it comes to food…I am a fan of burnt hot
dogs, mac-n-cheese and if in a rare mood I am not opposed to busting out the
Raman Noodles! I am not much on chain restaurants
--- I will take a local family owned-Taqueria over it all. Mike was the same way and being on the road
all day he was no stranger to the taco trucks, fast food and the coinsurer of
great dives! Running errands at lunch
today on a side of town I had not been in a little while, going down Alabama, I
happen to glance up and notice Joe’s Deli…a hole in the wall tucked in between
a Washateria and a Domino’s pizza…they have the ultimate TUNA sandwiches and
best Egg Salad Sandwiches, which all combos…sandwich, chips and soda you can
grab on any day for less than 4 dollars!!!!
Anyhow, memories came rushing back, for when on days when
Mike was working near my building, he would scoop me up and we would park our
fannies on the little stools looking out the window and just non-stop chatter
about our day and days to come. I have
not been back there since Mike passed and walking in there today, a rush came
flowing over me…a hello and smile from the owner asking how Mike and I were…he
had not seen us in a great while…It took me off guard, it has been two years
and did not realize the time passed since I had been there, Mike too…I smiled
and at a moment that would usually turn me into a complete Alice Cooper
picture, I hated to share the news of Mike, but thanked him for remembering his
customers and their faces --- He sighed and hated to hear the news, gave me hug
and said Mike was someone that completely touched his life. He would come in between jobs and never just
ordered and ran…he asked about family, personal happenings when they were
mentioned and always followed up. He
said Mike was always smiling, never a frown and because of the smallness of the
shop, he would sometimes hear our conversations as Mike would call me while at
lunch --- always laughing and he remembers fondly us always talking fishing and
our dogs.
I admit, I had to hold back tears – I had to hold back completely
breaking down as he placed my sandwich, soda and chips in a little plastic wrap
bag. I walked out, pulled on to Alabama
and just smiled. I thought I would cry, I
thought I would break down…instead I thanked the good Man Above for this
moment. For the time I got to have lunch
and talk about nothing in particular with Mike.
I smiled that even though he is no longer here physically, he in deed
touched so many lives and obviously has left a mark on people that only had him
as a customer in their deli on an every other week basis…yet he is remembered
even after 2 years of not visiting.
On this note I want to thank Mike, my Hott Pockett for being
him and nothing else for anyone. Loving
life to the fullest and never missing a chance to get to know someone when time
was allowed. Loving me so hard and
providing me with a fantastic friendship, union ship and while here just being
the sunshine on my face when I woke up (even on a cloudy day) and being the
moonlight and stars in my eyes (even when the city lights masked the starlight)…
I hope from this we can all know that even when we do not
realize our actions can speak volumes…be kind…smile as much as you can…talk
with your eyes, it truly does translate your soul…and make time for the small
things, for those to others are THE BIG THINGS --- XOXOXOX
XO LC
