I went to my first Episcopal Diocese of WV annual convention last weekend. That might not sound like fun to you. You would be wrong.

I’ve been thinking since the concluding prayer what it would have been like if Mike and I had gone together.

Mike’s faith and church – Ascension Episcopal in Hinton – were the most important things in his life. My spiritual foundation was in the 12 steps, so I didn’t attend services with him. 

I took his seat when chemo rendered him immunocompromised. I’m not sorry I did. I only wish I’d done it sooner.

And with him.

Looking at my relationship with Mike, I recognize that opposites do, indeed, attract. When we met, I believed that if you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space. 

Mike, however, was naturally cautious. There were times I thought his default was ‘no.’ (He said ‘yes’ plenty of times; my selfish assertiveness was triggered when he said no to me.)

I mostly don’t live on the edge now. I do say yes, often, to new experiences. Mike’s thoughtfulness was a good counter to my impulsiveness, and I frequently wonder “WWMD” as I make decisions for myself.

I wrote about Mike’s orange hat in June. As the first anniversary of his death approaches, here’s an update on its whereabouts now.

Many of you have suggested that he’s always with me. I know that’s true, and I’ve made sure of it, symbolically. Every time I hit the road, he’s with me. 

Well, his hat is, anyway.

A month ago, I thought I was handling this grief thing pretty well. I know there aren’t any rules. Anything goes. Everything’s right.

This month has been tough. Rough. Hard. 

I know he’s gone. 

But I want him – not just his hat.

Mike loved dogs.

I had a chocolate Lab when Mike and I met. He probably wouldn’t have noticed me had it not been for my dog.

He grew up with dogs – Tags was one, and there might have been a Tags II. During our years together we had Molly and Hershey (pictured).

He called Hershey a “West Virginia Brown Dog.” He adored her. 

She died in 2019, after his diagnosis but before he started chemo. I know things worked out as they were meant to, but I will always wonder if a dog might have made his last years happier.

I left the beach Saturday, wishing I could stay.

Mike, on the other hand, was always ready to go home. Maybe he lived in the present more than I do, appreciating what he had when he had it. Maybe he was more of a homebody.

He really did know how to stay in the now. He worried about what might happen if he didn’t do this or that. And when nothing bad happened, he took credit. His worrying prevented the awful-horrible-terrible thing.

He wasn’t a Boy Scout … but was always prepared. Contingency plans were in his doctor’s bag.

Mike didn't love the beach as I do. It was a drinking trigger for him before I met him, so I didn't push ocean vacations for a long time.

In 2008, we spent time on Florida beaches while visiting my dad. Beachwalking was a daily activity, as was eating fresh seafood.

He was hooked.

Together, we enjoyed Pawley's Island, Hilton Head, Kitty Hawk. He ate his weight in clams, shrimp, and scallops, then walked it off.

I’m at the beach now. I saw the sunrise and turtle hatchlings this morning, and wished he was here. 

Actually, I think he is.

When  I met Mike 30 years ago, politics was a peripheral interest. That changed over time. He switched from Independent to Democrat when Kerry ran for president. When Obama came to Beckley to announce his run, we were there.

We knocked on doors, went to rallies, engaged with current voters and registered more. We had parties – for debates, election nights, and inaugurations. He was thrilled when Obama won – twice!

Mike’s activism increased after Trump’s election. He would now find it unbelievable that anyone indicted for tampering with an election would be a frontrunner for the GOP.

And he would be right.