Raising my glass to a friend...

[juliette]

Tonight I sit here with a very good bottle of wine, raising a toast to my friend Michael who passed away today from respiatory and kidney failure after a battle with AIDS.

Michael was one of our "travelling road mafia" - a group of 5-6 folks who for the last five years have travelled frenetically for our company, and enjoyed laughs, fun, food and most certainly large quantities of wine in locations all over the world. He was our own court jester - perpetually happy, big and bold in personality with a biting sarcastic wit and an "over the top" (sometimes purposefully campy) manner which invariably had you in complete hysterical laughter after mere moments.

He was also a portrait in courage - in 1991 Michael left his comfortable life in Philadelphia and moved to Israel to enlist in the Israeli army in the run up to the Gulf War. He was not a religious man, rather he chose to go to Israel (despite never having been before and not speaking the language) to fight for ideal of a Jewish homeland. He remained in Israel after the war, becoming a full citizen and making it his home base. If you consider that it still isn't "easy" to be a gay man in North America, it's even less easy being a gay man in Israel which has a rather "macho" culture. Michael lived his life to the fullest and in some ways I can only compare him to a "Puk" type character.

He joined our company and fully embraced the frenetic lifestyle of constant travel and endless hotel rooms. Working on any project with Michael was a joy - you knew that his work would be precise and well managed, that he was brilliant in front of clients, and that you would spend your evenings in a laughing mix of great food, better wine and fantastic company.

Tonight I think back to endless evenings in Orlando, Israel, Las Vegas, Toronto, London, Paris and Cannes - I raise a glass and toast the dying of a brilliant light. As my good friend Orit said when she called me to tell me the news - It's almost impossible to believe that anyone as fully alive as Michael could actually pass. Surreal to think of, but 100 times better than ever having him suffer........

[blazeman]

J,

I am so sorry for the passing of your friend. I will say a prayer for him tonight, but someone as loved as he was here will be even more loved where he is now. You have my number if you need to chat...

[kpm_tex]

Juliette,

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend... the people we work & become friends with keep us sane especially when on the road.

It sounds like Michael lived his life to the fullest. That is a terrible disease and it is a shame it had to take another life.
:hug2: For you
and
a toast :beer: to Michael.

[ajers&me]

I just wanted to say that you wrote a lovely tribute to your friend. When people pass we usually sit and cry because we are upset that we will never have them in our lives until we reach the bridge, but to celebrate his life with a tribute like that is just soo touching. Thanks for feeling that you could share it with the rest of us. :angel1: :angel1: :angel1:

[Me&DappledDuo]

I'm so sorry, J. I'm so sorry for us all- it sure sounds like Michael brightened the world an awful lot. I'm glad you have so many good times to remember.
:hugs1:

[alfina]

So sorry for your loss. What a great tribute you wrote

[Mark]

What a wonderful tribute to your friend and how saddened we are that the world had lost a gem like, Michael. Our deepest sympathies . . . we would gladly raise a glass with you.

[onebigmickeyfan]

Who lived life his way, to the fullest. How sad that such a person is gone from this world. I am sorry for your loss J. It does seem sometime that the best get taken much too soon. But the memories he's left with his friends and family will make him live on and on.

[Kim H.]

but I can see the good memories will live on. I am sure he would appreciate your tribute and celebration of his life. He sounds like a fascinating person, and definitely someone you'd be proud to call a friend.

I am raising my glass with you to toast Michael. Somewhere, he is raising one back. :beer:

[Marlene Miller]

Juliette, Im so sorry for your loss, it sounds a though Michael was a bright light in the life of anyone he was friends with. His work towards peace in Israel shows what kind of man he truly was. I hope he has family and friends to say kaddish for him

[FOREVER A DAXIE]

Some people stay with you forever, your friend Michael is one of them. He is obviously one of those people you'll still be talking about 20 years from now. That was a wonderful tribute.

[TessieMom]

I am so sorry for your loss. It always seems like we lose some of the best people way too early and we are left only with memories. Take care.

[Heidi's Pam]

on the loss of your friend and co-worker. He sounds like he was a wonderful man who touched the lives of many people. Your tribute shows how much you loved and respected him and how much he will be missed.

Pam

[Courtknee]

Juliette, that is a beautiful tribute to someone who most certainly was a beautiful person. So sorry for your loss, but surely Michael will live on in all that got to know him.

[minicooper]

A wonderful tribute to a friend, Juliette.

We also raise a glass in Michael's honour! :beer:

[doxunzX3]

What a wonderful tribute and loving thoughts of your dear friend. I am sure that he is thrilled with your tribute and kind and loving thoughts. :hugs1:

[blueyezz74]

What a great tribute to your friend. Sounds like he touched your life and the life of others. His life here was definitely not wasted.

:pray: :pray: :pray:

[lotsadox]

I'm so sorry about your friend, Michael's, passing. Sometimes the brightest stars burn out the fastest. It' unfortunate for those of us who live in their light. The world is definitely darker without them. My thoughts and prayers are with you and those who knew him. :hugs1: :hugs1: to you.

Drink several glasses of wine to him. I know he'd like that.

[doxiediva]

I too offer my sincerest condolences. Your tribute was truly beautiful.

I can only pray that I am a good enough friend and good enough person that someone will be able to say equally wonderful things about me as you have about Michael.

Blessings to you and yours during this trying time.

Dana

[SirOliversMom]

A truly beautiful tribute Juliette. I am very sorry for your loss. Michael was lucky to have left friends like you behind. :hugs1:

[quavec]

Juliette. I am just now reading this and it has brought tears and memories. Ten years ago, I too had to drink a toast to a dear friend who fought valiantly against AIDS. In reading your tribute to him, you brought back many memories...the ones of laughter, love, silliness and friendship. The bad ones lurked too....of his diagnosis, his fight, his anger at God, his love of God and his acceptance. You were lucky to have known such a good person. Kevin was much the same. My sympathy goes out to you for you loss.

I would like to think that your friend Michael is raising a glass w/Kevin and shining their laughter down upon us.

Rest well my friend....rest well Michael.

[babajay]

I sincerely believe that God has a purpose in giving life to each of us - even those who are conceived, but never born alive. God's plan for Michael may never be understood, but the fact that he touched so many diverse lives in his all too short time on earth shows that he was sent to love and to care deeply for others. You are fortunate to have known him and to have your memories of happy times with him. May time soften the pain you're feeling now. Barbara

[juliette]

Thanks for all your kind words folks - I greatly appreciate it.
Michael's Dad has flown to Israel today and after the Sabbeth we'll know more what his last wishes were.

I still get the feeling that wherever he is now - Michael's got a great bottle of wine in one hand and is finding the best table in the best party spot - just waiting to brief the rest of us when we get there! Heck, at least I know I'll have reservations in the fun spots when it's my turn to pass on!

[Roobyrocks]

Juliette, I'm sorry for your loss. Michael sounds like a man who lived every second of his life to the fullest.

[svofcols]

Michael has joined a wonderful childhood friend of mine Adam who had to leave the deep south to get away from all the prejudice and live his fullest in California. Adam also left us way too soon, so to Michael and Kevin and Adam ... you brought joy and happiness to so many, may we one day all be reunited and drink another toast together.
Sandi