When we first met Betty and Michael Minor it did not cross our minds that soon they would become such good friends.

Michael was this fun and sarcastic yet loving person that had a full, sincere enjoyment of the written word, both by reading it and creating it. 

In the three years that followed that very first meeting we had the opportunity to share memorable moments with Michael. We would have long conversations with him about just anything and everything and we both, Doug and I felt so lucky for having a friend like him.

Last time we all got together was last Sunday, when we had breakfast at 13 Coins before we dropped them off at the airport for their trip to Ireland. The so talked about trip. I still have the itinerary that Michael himself made sure to deliver us sticked to the board. He was so excited about the trip and all the places he wanted to visit.

The first edition of his IRISH GAZETTE as he called, arrived in my mailbox in the late evening of Tuesday.

I replyed and asked him what a Pillow Menu was and on Wednesday morning he answered:

Believe it or not, a pillow menu is a list of the kinds of pillows the hotel has to offer.  Soft, med, hard. Synthetic or goose down filling.  Now when Doug asks, you can say, “OMG, you poor man!  Every one knows what that is!!!

Michael died  of a massive heart attack on the next day, just as him and Betty headed back to hotel after a nice dinner out.

I am still trying to digest the reality as I realize he will not be coming back from Ireland. I just wish I could give Betty a hug and I hope she finds the strength to get through all the formalities she is inevitably having to face in Ireland before she can bring him back home.