Michael was so powerful that he changed our lives all the way in Brooklyn from the internet. He showed us how to live with brain cancer. His leadership in the brain tumor community is so missed and everyone should know the impact he's had on the brain tumor world. We are sending you all lots of our love. <3, Jeff and Peter

Jenny, I very much want to share. But I am going into a mindfulness retreat. Also, I will need to take a little time to compose all the great ways he impacted me and my work. I will be in touch soon, Julie

I knew Michael first in college as "The Beautiful Man," which is what my friend Laura called him when we saw him dancing. The next semester, he was in my Hinduism class - a new offering by a new professor. There were only about a dozen of us, and everything was very fresh and exciting. I felt like I was being introduced to truths I had already intuitively known, and there was an honesty, transparency, and fragility to the teaching and discussions that made it all intensely meaningful. As a class, we bonded quickly and even cobbled together a random field trip to Chicago to see a Hindu temple. We stayed in the basement of my parents' house, having a sudden slumber party with our professor. I feel comforted now by the fact that Michael met my parents and slept in their house (where they still live), connecting more parts of our lives. It snowed while we were in the city and the whole trip had this magical quality to it. We ate at an Indian restaurant where everything was too spicy for me, and we saw the movie "Short Cuts."
Michael and I easily developed a significant friendship. We went folk dancing together, took pictures of each other climbing trees, and spent many hours on the small couch in his college apartment discussing the meaning of life and playing with each other's hair when his roommate wasn't home. He came to my surprise birthday party at the roller rink, went bowling with me and Laura, and was generally up for whatever odd activity came our way. Everything about him was so compelling and complex and goofy. I was unclear on whether our relationship was headed in a romantic direction or not - he was very mysterious and vague. Over the summer, we wrote letters back and forth. I remember asking him directly about our status, and his response was incredibly eloquent: he talked about how he found beauty in ambiguity, and comfort in not knowing, and loved whatever we were doing. I felt both totally satisfied and totally unsatisfied with that explanation, but I trusted him implicitly and re-read that letter many, many times. I wish I could re-read it again now, as it seems like a beautifully ironic harbinger. He also sent me a mix tape with lots of songs I'd never heard before, and wonderful little snippets from movies and comedy routines and readings interspersed. Specifically, I remember a bit about a photographer capturing an image - "She waved her arms and screamed and I shot her again." I thought the whole thing was beyond brilliant, and I was touched by how much time and effort it must have taken, and felt a bit like the mix tape I'd sent him with Lou Reed songs might have been too trite.
We drifted apart after college but reconnected on Facebook as people do nowadays. I was thrilled to be back in touch and learn about his life. I wasn't surprised at his career in conflict resolution or that he had aligned himself with an awesome wife and cool children. We exchanged messages occasionally, and he was the same loving, creative, fascinating man I had known before. He was willing to engage with me in tough conversations about his illness, even when my observations about his experience were fairly unkind. I was relieved to feel that deep emotional and intellectual connection to him again, although now I realize that he fostered that kind of relationship with almost everyone he ever knew. It's humbling to recognize that he had such a quiet, powerful impact on so many people. It makes me question whether I ever deserved his friendship, and whether I can live half the life he did. He leaves a remarkable legacy that's almost infuriating in its perfection.
Our mutual college friend Karl would understand the richness and depth of my feelings about this incredible loss most of all, but he died over 10 years ago. I was fortunate to meet Karl's wife and infant son after he had died. I hope that I might be able to meet Jenny, Isaiah, and Grace someday too.

Thank you so much for the glimpse of the memorial for those of us who couldn't be there. Love, love, love the bike the poems and the stories.

Dear Jenny, I am thinking so much of you and Isaiah and Grace and Micheal, holding memories and awe of what an amazing journey you have all been on. I have watched from the periphery and sent and send love and deep appreciation. Bless you all.

Jenny, it was a touching time on Saturday....sorry we were not able to connect with you personally. Perfect that Micheal's bike was there too...as was he in so many ways.
I hope you compile all the letters, journals, comments from this site....it is a tribute to you , Michael, Isaiah and Grace for how you generously shared your lives in its most potent times.... a book to hold, to return to, to share and draw strength from we, your friends also face difficult times.

Love and light to each of you as you settle into this new time. We are thinking of you and sending blessings.
Peter and Tanya

Jenny, dearest, we were not able to attend so this means so much to me. I didn’t spend much time with Michael but when I did I felt his gaze pierce through the very depths of me to what was real and true and of course, that bit that he helped me see in myself, through his gaze, was love. At times it felt uncomfortable because I wasn’t used to that knowledge nor what I was capable of. It was through his journey that I found love for my mother at the end of her life. His journey helped me embrace what was necessary for me to move beyond the past pain to an acceptance of her love that had actually been there since I was born. Michael was an amazing person and I thank you, my friend, for introducing me to your beloved. 🙏🏽

These reading are absolutely beautiful. Thank you for posting.

An amazing adventure indeed. And what a privilege to be invited to it - again. Its been a gift to read these rich, lovely readings, especially as I/we could not be at Michael's service. Thank you all for inviting us all into your hearts, your love, and Michael's too.
With a big sigh, many tears, and great gratitude. love,Barbara

I remember when Michael made a short film about letting Jesus babysit for toddler Isaiah.