In Rememberance of Hopalong X (Mike)

gregrocker said:

This has been a hard one.

I have never wanted to avoid the subject of death when the dying bring it up, as I felt Mike had done when he told us he had no options but to die. It is the most sobering experience one can have with a friend. You want to be there for him, calm and stable to lean on. I've also learned it's not good to avoid the subject of death especially if they want to talk about it as Mike did in his last posts.

An example of how death is denied is when the dying discuss it's impending approach and others continue to hope they get well. I understand it but it seems a bit of denial. For that reason I went looking for horse-themed elegies and was lucky enough to find one which carried the theme of Topper running free in a "Return to Innocence" which also brushed on dying. Then I found the Enya video customized with winged horses and suddenly Topper was transporting Mike to heaven. On the wings of angels. Shatteringly beautiful.

I worried this was embracing death too much so asked my closest Forums' friend who thought it might be so. But I called my Uncle Paul into the room who is a Catholic Priest who has tended to the dying all of his life and views it naturally. I showed him the thread and then played him the two videos. He said he thought it was exquisite embrace of the transition and not rushing Mike to the grave at all. I decided to leave it.

Later that night I visited the thread to read and watch the videos again in sequence, tears streaming down my face. As I paged to the bottom to contemplate the Edit button I saw that Mike was in the thread.

Such a moving and well thought out post Greg, I'm reading it with tears running down my face , Such ,such a sad loss to the forums

Very good tribute to Mike and life Greg. I think we are all just a little better people for having known and interacted with Mike.

Greg,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the two youtubes.
It is so true about friendship and being there for those in need.

As I watch both video's I thought of Mike, my dear friend, and a stream of tears flowed down my face.
Mike would want us to not shed tears but to be joyous for him as his pain and suffering are gone.

For those of us who knew him and talked to him were blessed as he was a true brother to us.
He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Adios Hopalong!
THW

This has been such a moving thread but it goes to show just how much we all thought of Mike, your videos Greg were perfect.

I agree with others here that have said he'll never be forgotten, the forum is a sadder place now he's gone but I'm sure he'd want us to carry on with the help, which was one of the reasons he was here like the rest of us.

R.I.P Mike

gregrocker said:

I worried this was embracing death too much so asked my closest Forums' friend who thought it might be so. But I called my Uncle Paul into the room who is a Catholic Priest who has tended to the dying all of his life and views it naturally. I showed him the thread and then played him the two videos. He said he thought it was exquisite embrace of the transition and not rushing Mike to the grave at all. I decided to leave it.

It wasn't so much that it was embracing death to much, but rather it was a thread of well wishes, and although it was clear to many Mike's demise was inevitable, the thread had not taken on the "wake" theme yet. For me it was Mike knows, we know, but he's still with us. I can't fault you for the post, and didn't then. It is still to me, much more apropos now.

Beyond all that, it was obvious you had put much thought into it, and were showing your feelings for Mike. It was, after all, your expression, so it's good you posted it

A Guy

Very sad news. Deepest condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

Andy

I knew this day was coming.. I knew my heart would break at this great loss to us all, Mike's little group of some here in W7F, knew from his posts, things had gotten worse.. Yet he kept being Mike as we knew him, kind, funny, and chipper.
He will long be remembered by us all as so many have already stated.
My heart goes out to Eileen and his family and friends, as he galloped off into the sunset of his life to be with his maker.
Mike left us much too soon.
You left us with great memories of a Great , Gentle Spirit , who loved with a big heart, who was a funloving man.
Rest in peace my friend with no more problems with your health, stand near the entrance to heaven , to greet any new arrivals who may need showing around your new home.

Loved ya Mike , our friend.
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I'm reminded of an interview Groucho Marx gave years ago when he was very old. Someone asked him, "How do you want to be remembered?"
Groucho said, simply, "Alive"
That's how I think of my friend Mike while saddened, I remember his life and don't dwell on his passing so much. He was full of piss and vinegar so often and made me laugh often, a great gift, laughter.

Gary ....You are so spot on with your comments above.. Mike lived to make others laugh, as we all saw , in his great , fun comments, bantering was a skill he mastered, to all the great posts here in W7F.

Yes Greg very decent tribute and again I think it is so important to be with and speak to people while they are still alive.

I have through work (RN) especially and life in general seen so many times the regret of others that did not do this, and that is a very sad and sorry place to be in..

I have also seen the hypocrisy of some that turn up to funerals and speak in flowing terms of the departed and know full well that they had no contact with the deceased person for many years.

Personally I am glad I knew Mike as I did if only for a brief time he was a real gentleman and friend to me and I will never forget him for that.