In Rememberance of Hopalong X (Mike)

[CB]

Rest in peace, Mike.

 

[archer]

RIP Mike....you will always be missed.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Just received this from Mike's sister, Anna, as I had sent her the Rememberance link.

The messages and videos are awesome! Mike wasn’t a very “social” person, but apparently he was active on “sevenforums”. Mike was the king of sarcasm. We didn’t smack each other much as kids, but we fought with words all the time. That’s how we both honed our sarcasm. Sounds like you all knew him as he really was—the real Mike (or shall I say Hoppy)?

Please pass the word around about how much I appreciate the tribute to Mike.

Dad doesn’t touch computers, but mom can use email a little, so I will send her this link and call to tell her to crank up Bessie and check out the link. If their dinosaur computer can run the videos she will love them all. Sons of the Pioneers, Hoppy and Topper, those are from her era and she loved them.

Oh—and I knew the horseshoe wasn’t a toilet seat. lol

THW

 

[damien76]

my condolences...

 

[boohbah]

thanks for the update dennis,
glad this thread was able to give Anna a chuckle and the knowledge her brother was loved and respected outside of her family.
condolences to your family once more, especially mom,when she reads this thread.

 

[Britton30]

Thanks Anna, We all enjoyed Mike's word bashing, he was very good at it.

 

[essenbe]

Very well said, Julian.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Very well said, Julian.

Hum Steve the sig says it all and I for one was honoured to know him in life which again is the most important thing to me. I like to remember the times when people are alive and celebrate that - than mourn so much I am sure he would want us all to happy at the good times rather than be so sad eh?

I have to say I don't believe in an afterlife but I do believe the spirit lives on in some form and for me that is the memory of the good times.

 

[M1GU31]

Rest in peace Mike, you will be missed.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

Boo I've borrowed your star.. hope it's okay.

 

[boohbah]

i dont mind, its from the remembrance page on the sacha link in my sig.
its my son sachas star from that page.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

Thank you my dear... the one I have is too large for this.
The website is such a lovely rememberance idea.

 

[boohbah]

yes, sadly the list has grown considerably.

 

[Anak]

Originally I wanted to do a "Baxter Black" themed post for Mike, but had to wait for permission to use one of his poems, I received that permission yesterday, and offer it here today.​

I KNOW YOU’LL MISS THIS MAN
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]
The Lord spoke to the heavy hearts that stood with hats in hand[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]
"Your sadness pains me deeply and I know you'll miss this man[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]But, it's true what you've been hearing, Heaven is a real place.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]That's no small consolation. You should use that fact to face[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]
The emptiness his parting left that seeps into your bones[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]And draw on it to ease your pain. For he is not alone.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]You see, all his friends are up here and all his loved ones, too,[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]'Cause it wouldn't be a heaven without each one of you.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]
And heaven for a cowboy is just what you might expect,[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]It's horses that need tunin' up and heifers that need checked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]It's long rides with a purpose and a code that lights the way[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]And a satisfying reason to get up every day.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]
It's the ranch he's always dreamed of and never knew he'd find[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]And if you think about it, you can see it in your mind.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]Him, leanin' in the saddle with his ol' hat on his head,[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]Contentment set upon his face like blankets on a bed.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]
The leather creaks a little as he shifts there in the seat.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]The bit chains give a jingle when his pony switches feet.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]And you somehow get the feelin' that he's sittin' on a throne[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]A'gazin' out on paradise just like it was his own.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]
I can promise you he's happy, though I know you can't pretend[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]You're glad he made the journey. It's too hard to comprehend.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]The earthly way you look at things can never satisfy[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]Your lack of understanding for the answer to the 'Why?'[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]
So, I offer this small comfort to put your grief to rest,[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]I only take the top hands 'cause my crew's the very best.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]And I know it might seem selfish to friends and next of kin[/FONT]
[FONT=Times, Times New Roman]But I needed one more cowboy and Mike [FONT=Times, Times New Roman]will [/FONT][FONT=Times, Times New Roman]fit right in."[/FONT][/FONT]
​

Source:
Coyote Cowboy Company
Written by: Baxter Black www.baxterblack.com, and used with the authors permission.
Permission was also given to use “Mike” instead of the original name "Billy" in the last line of the poem.


Mike, May you have blue skies and happy trails.....

Steve

 

[Britton30]

Very heartfelt Steve.

 

[nitroman84]

Just hearing of this news for the first time. I am deeply saddened that I did not know him better. He was a great member of this forum and I wish that he may rest in peace. The good ones always leave us too soon.