Donate to In Memory of Grandpa Mike, organized by Rinoa French
Hi, my name is Rey, and I'm Mike's grandchild. Mike passed from a surprise heart attack on Marc… Rinoa French needs your support for In Memory of Grandpa Mike
www.gofundme.com
He was a cool guy. Surfer, Hiker, Mountain Biker, Backpacker, Horseman. Dog lover. So very gentle yet strong.
He was a good, good father. He taught us righteousness, integrity, honor, and dedication, through word and deed.
He knew karate, but never needed to use it. People respected him. Well, he did like to flip me over his shoulder onto a cushioned surface, in play, when I was a little girl. He taught me a few little strikes for protection, and how to land. That was fun.
We would go on long road trips together. He was into the Back to the Land movement, and he and my hippie mom drove us on magical mystery tours, sometimes for thousands of miles. He loved wilderness, and left every secret spot cleaner than when he found it. He taught us to do the same.
When I was young and crazy and running away from home, he found me at a youth shelter, rather than lecturing or being angry, he gave me a stern look and presented me with me a proper pack frame and supplies.
I still remember his corduroy coat. I'd wear it to school on those chilly frosty desert winter mornings. When smoke rose from smudge pots in the lemon groves, I'd have his warm coat that smelled of his tobacco. In the pocket was his favorite buck knife.
It's kinda funny. He was into Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana before I was. He got me into grunge as a kid. He knew a lot about music. I miss his guitar playing.
He picked me up one time, from a shelter over a thousand miles away, up in the northwest, and as we drove down the 199 from Grants Pass, and into Del Norte County, somewhere between Merlin and Gasquet, Del Shannon's 1961 song, "My Little Runaway" came on the oldies radio station. He smiled at me and began singing out loud- something he rarely ever did. I munched on Gardettos and smiled at my Daddy. After that moment, it became our song.
I am playing it right now.
Anyway, will you please donate to his Gofundme that my daughter set up for my Mom? Any little bit will help. She and him have been together since she was a teenager. She's never been alone. Any little bit will help her.
