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An Anniversary

3/31/2012

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Saturday, March 31, 2012

It’s been exactly a year since my one-of-a-kind friend Mike Marquie died. It’s hard to fathom how much has happened over those 12 months—and how many times I’ve wanted to talk to him, to laugh with him, to ask for his advice.

I don’t dream about Mike often, but I did the other night. We were at Bingo but, since it was a dream, it didn’t look anything like real Bingo. Mike was in his wheelchair, and I was trying to squeeze through a tiny opening around him. I think I said, “Oof,” which certainly would be in character. Whatever it was, Mike smiled at me and said, “You look good.”

Mike was always excellent for my self-esteem, but this time I don’t think he meant it literally. Last year was possibly my most challenging ever, and I like to think “dream Mike” was encouraging me instead of flattering me—toward spring, toward a fresh start and maybe even toward hope.  

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. Mike always had a way of telling me exactly what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it.

I think maybe he still does.
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    Author
    My name is Sandy Deneau Dunham. I'm a journalist who’s worked at The Phoenix Gazette, The (Tacoma) News Tribune,  The Seattle Times, Town Hall Seattle and Pacific Lutheran University. I'm now back at The Seattle Times, as associate editor of its gorgeously glossy Pacific NW magazine. I've been a volunteer at the Washington Soldiers Home and Colony in Orting, Washington, since January 2009, and I am still a remedial videographer.   

     

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