As most of you know, Mike (Cooney) was diagnosed with ALS in February of 2015. What started as a small stumble in early 2014, which later turned into a limp, caused Mike to see more doctors than he had ever seen (yeah he was NOT happy). Finally, with a second opinion from Mayo Clinic, it was determined - ALS.
So.... Mike retired and did what Mike does - hunted, built a deck & patio, 4-wheeled around his acreage, wood-worked, added two dachshunds to the pack, enjoyed a few libations, watched a crap ton of sports, and lived his life to the fullest.
He did big things. Three weeks camping to eight National Parks, 4-wheeling in South Dakota, motorcycling through Devil's Curve in the Smokey Mountains, bought a 1964 Dodge Dart convertible to cruise the roads his motorcycle no longer could, snowmobiled with the Iowa crew and in true Coonrod fashion, hosted a few parties at the homestead.
And as ALS kept progressing, he did the small things too. Planted gardens, curated an impressive gnome collection, found increasingly weirder wiener dog costumes, surprised his wife and kids with ridiculous Christmas presents each year, and a whole host of other strange but wonderful things that only Amazon can provide. He had movie marathons & movie nights with his family and became the resident product researcher and fantasy football guru.
Through the big and small, ALS kept moving with us and we learned a "new normal" every day. He continued to learn and adapt to connect with family and friends, finding humor in the bumps along the road (I'm pretty sure there is a roll over story that the hunting crew is privy to?!). Most importantly, we were so very very lucky to have friends and family who rallied around us, adapting to the ever-changing "new normal" and providing love and support for us every step of the way.
We all know Mike - the funny, sweet, smart-ass, (ok he was smart too!!!) son, brother, husband, father, and friend that lit up every room and made those around him lean in for just one more story. I married the most popular guy in the room and that was pretty cool for a poor, small-town Iowa girl. While we may have started out a bit unorthodox, he was the first person to make me feel really loved for me being exactly me. And when you think about it, it's this very reason that made everyone gravitate to him - he seemed to bring out the best in everyone. I am such a better person for having him in my life. He has the two most intelligent, good-hearted, strong children. He is the dad that I scolded for not setting limits with our young children, only to get his response (with his notorious side mouth smile) "I just love to see them happy!!".
So as this story is coming to an end - keep the stories light, share a beer with friends, always be ready to laugh at the world (because it really doesn't care what you do), and don't waste time or energy on hurt or anger and above all - love. It was such serendipity how our paths cross - but cross they did and now this wonderful network of love and friendship is his legacy. As Mike would say as we drove by the Watertown baseball field EVERY time we drove down to Janesville ....."I used to DOMINATE on this field!"
I am so sorry to inform all of you that attended Friday or Saturday's gatherings for Mike that I was informed that a person has tested positive for COVID today (fever started last night). Please be on the look out for symptoms and take care of yourself. I am so sorry that our gathering may have placed folks at risk. If you need additional information feel free to reach out personally to myself. Please also feel free to pass this information on to others who may not read these posts. Unfortunately I do not have other social media platforms to post this info to the audience that was there.
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