Dear Friends,
As many of you know, I refer to my 6’7″ spouse as the giant husband. Now, one doesn’t go about meeting giant husbands without first palling-around with other large people. There was one such grand person who I affectionately called Big Mike. Big Mike was a six-foot-four, life-loving, grapefruit-muscled, enormous hearted Irishman. In short, Big Mike was the infectious laughter at the party. He was the one always wearing a perpetual smile. He was Big Mike.
June 5, 1993 was the night I met the giant husband for the very first time. I was hanging out with friends at a small town pub. I was with my dear lifelong friend Joe, and of course, Big Mike. Big Mike was – for lack of a better description – ‘busting up the joint!’ He was letting fly, joke after joke in his big booming voice. The giant husband’s roommate at the time happened to be laughing along with the rest of us. The roommate phoned the giant husband. He informed him of Big Mike’s antics and suggested he come to the pub.
Not too long after the roommate’s phone call, this giant of a man – bigger than Big Mike – was filling-up the small pub’s doorway. His dark hair touched the door frame above and his broad shoulders met either side. As the giant husband stood there, Big Mike, larger-than-life, announced to the room while pointing at the giant husband, “and there’s the biggest man I know!” And the rest they say, is history…
Big Mike left this world too soon. I find when there is a clear sky and the sun is out, I can almost hear Big Mike’s booming laughter. I painted this portrait of Big Mike for his mother.
Thank you and goodnight. May your dreams be filled with the booming-gentle laughter of sweet spirits…
anntogether 
I love the gentle booming laughter you provide me with. I can only imagine how special Big Mike was. May he rest in peace. Sweet dreams, Lovey.
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The years, as they so often do, minimize sadness, but the loss is still great.
I think the angels have been having a darn good time since Big Mike moved the party Upstairs 🙂
AnnMarie 🙂
Best dreams to you too, Skye 🙂
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What a lovely tribute to your friend, and an incredible gift to his mom. – Fawn
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He was a special soul. Painting his likeness was a small thing I could do to try and help fill a huge gap.
AnnMarie 🙂
ps Fawn, I hope your family and extended family are doing well this evening and the patients are healing…
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Sorry to read of your loss, AnnMarie — but it sounds like Big Mike was a great guy, and that you were really blessed to have had him in your life.
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Big Mike’s been gone for awhile. I’m sure he’s off somewhere in a heavenly pub making sure we haven’t stopped enjoying life 🙂
Thank you for the kind words
AnnMarie 🙂
Hope all the world’s animals sleep soundly tonight 🙂
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That is one incredible portrait of your big pal, you seem to have captured the essence of the man – I can imagine his personality just by looking at the picture, kindness and a sense of fun just pour out of his eyes. You are a seriously gifted portrait artist!
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Thank you. He was one of those rare people who could light up a room and shake the ground at the same time.
AnnMarie 🙂
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Great story & potrait Annmarie, thanks for sharing
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Thank you.
Caemine – is this Carmine?
🙂
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Some special people have a gift for lighting up a room. What a wonderful tribute to your friend Big Mike. You are keeping his light bright.
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He was a great fellow – life loving and still loved 🙂
AnnMarie 🙂
Thank you very much.
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Such a great painting of Mike. You definitely captured his essence. Big smile just waiting to burst into laughter.
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Hey someone, possibly from Cavo Country –
All smiles, big heart and that impish twinkle in his eye made this portrait happy and sad for me.
Thank you – I think about him and wish…
AnnMarie 🙂
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Big Mike’s mom must love that painting! What a sweet way to remember a big guy with a big laugh. Beautiful
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🙂
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I’m so very sorry.
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I am too. Big Mike has been gone many years and it still stinks – the world needs every big heart it can keep on earth.
AnnMarie 🙂
Thank you for reading and I hope all is well with you…
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