I'm on the cusp of an unscheduled trip to Mlps. My cousin Michael died recently and unexpectedly. And it has me wondering.
Mike had followed a similar path of employment as I had. His expertise took him away from Minnesota abroad to the outside world where fish are not as plentiful and the women a tad bit more handsome. I think we both may have been seeking a separation from home that gave us space to grow up and develop our individual traits and talents.
Mike took his to another level entirely though. He became a regular ex-Pat employee taking assignments in China, Korea(?), and Malaysia(?). Me? I too lived in another country for a while: Texas. But I fled the territory recently, guns a blazin. Most recently, Mike took an assignment in Mexico just across the Texas border. He lived on the US-side and jumped across daily for work as is common in them there parts.
I took a turn from my distance with family and came close to US center (StL) and often visit family up north, out west, and right here in river city. And as I noted above, Mike has me wondering.
I am wondering how it is he came to continue his far from home living. I wonder about lifestyle choices. I wonder about small choices of living that we all make. And I wonder if he did not find a path back to family like I have.
And I am left with 'I don't know' and am not going to pursue gaining this knowledge. You see, I think the joy of Mike and the relationship we had was great. Is great. I accept Mike for who he was to me and I think he did likewise. The particulars of his lifestyle, his choices are really not of interest to me.
There is going to be a 'share stories about Mike' after the visitation tomorrow. And though I don't regret being closer to Mike in life, I am very excited to better understand Mike in his passing.
Hey Mike, cheers and I wish you well.
Your loving cousin,
Dean
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