Feb 25 2008
23 Skidoo
Today is a really special day, for two reasons. First – it is George Harrison’s birthday, although people argue he may have been born on the 24. Second, it is Michael’s birthday and while he may be less well-known than George Harrison (for now…), he’s pretty important to me.
I introduced myself to Michael during the lunch meal on the second day of classes the Spring 2006 semester at UMBC. We had come from the same class, where I noted him mostly for sitting in the front row (as a fellow front-row sitter myself). I had a friend with me at the dining hall, who handed Michael a tray and when we turned around he was gone. He did not eat lunch with us, which we both thought was strange.
The next day, I was at the front desk of the residence hall, covering for the same friend while she used the restroom when Michael came in with his laundry. We struck up a conversation that ultimately ended with him being invited to attend the movies with myself and a couple of friends. It was an awful movie that we both made fun of and laughed at, to the point where one of my friends hit me and told me to shut up. When we walked out, we all looked at the moon, and Michael said that it looked like the cheshire cat’s grin. I don’t know why this stays with me, but I can’t look at the moon, even still, without recalling that moment.
Within a week or so, we were spending hours after class standing inside the lobby of the residence hall, talking. Eating lunch and doing laundry together. I don’t remember thinking much of it, romantically, at the time. I just enjoyed talking to Michael. We talked about our families, our schooling, books we had read, words we liked. I was sort of surprised, one night, when we stayed up late talking and I realized I liked him liked him.
I was awed by what I perceived as a lack of ego in him. I mistakenly had attributed it to naivete when we first began talking, but quickly realized that was entirely inaccurate. He was experienced but somehow the core part of him remained untouched. He was genuine, honest and not afraid to appear fragile.
Believe me when I say this – there are millions of people who will never know the peace that Michael has in his heart. I am closer to that peace because of Michael. There is something so reassuring about a world that has someone like him in it. When we started dating, I was struck by this sudden fervor I had regarding the world. I could do anything with Michael, and I realized all the things I wanted to do that I had already dismissed in my head.
Michael is a man of infinite talents and interests. He’s among the best cooks I know, he’s a fantastic writer, he does all sorts of technical tomfoolery I only understand on a basic level, he’s an eagle scout, a mensan, a magician. He gives the best backrubs the world over, he’s full of endless trivia and jokes, he folds origami, speaks Japanese, and can use an abacus.
The magic of existence is the tiny probability that any of us are born, live and collide. I am thankful, today, for all those improbable events that helped bring Michael into my life.
You are sappy and I love you.