I found out today just how brief life is, and how odd it can be.
Many people here have followed the trials and tribulations of Michael Robison.
For those that don't read here often, Michael came in the group not all that long ago with a new energy and excitement for a craft he did 20 years ago, and was excited to return to the craft now to build lamps and some new windows for the house he is in.
His energy and excitement and intelligent questions brought a bit of light to me, on a personal level, for some reason. Probably because what I have seen through my eyes for the past 30 years, I had forgotten that this was supposed to be FUN. Michael brought that back, for me, probably because he is a genuinely nice guy, and is excited by all of it. Maybe not, I really don't know why, but things just clicked.
I did something I don't normally do, I invited Mike to come up to my studio, I have a couple of lamps going in construction, and I do other things that he may learn some tricks and techniques that may help him. A 4 hour drive north from his home in IN, and is here!! Drove up the Friday night before with his lovely wife,( a motorcycle enthusiast, a plus in my world) she explored the area while Mike spent the day Sat.
I worked on nothing that day, we just covered alot of ground in the area that excited him the most, lamps. Showed him some things I do to make life easier in construction, showed him some old rolled glass that he had never seen and we just talked glass all day long until it was time to leave for their ride home. It was a really nice day, I felt, for both of us.
What is this leading up to?
With a sad heart, I know that I shall not hear from Michael again.
We will not see his posts here, asking questions, and giving us answers to recently discovered tricks he had learned.
Michael was killed in an Auto accident on Nov. 19th. It is not confirmed but indications are a drunk driver. whether or not he was drunk, he hit Michael head on as Mike was on his way to work.
I will miss him. Alot.