Buckeye Mike

Tonight I find myself sitting in my apartment, looking at the boxes and realizing another page in my life is turning. In an effort to cut costs and help a friend over a rough patch, I am moving to Buckeye Lake, Ohio tomorrow. It is going to be an interesting experience, as this summer is going to be one filled with all the things I love - the water, bonfires, good music and bbq's. The downside is that it takes me a little farther from my boys, and from other very important people in my life. But it isn't a far drive and I should be able to keep things steady while I am there. But that is not what tonight's blog is about. I remember the day I met him. Clad in a beige work jumpsuit with Mr. Sparkle branded on the name tag, Brad Stefanov had to be the most unique individual I had met since my family had moved to Columbus the summer before. It was 1988 and I had just started my first job, at Kroger in Gahanna. I was a bagger and making a paycheck and thought I was king of the

Last Wednesday I woke up very nervous. As I have mentioned before, I don't like to go to the doctor's. They like to keep me and cut me open, so I avoid all of that as much as I can. But as you are all well aware, after the car accident I had to get this thing figured out. And the culmination of that was Wednesday. I got to the hospital on time. Purple was waiting on top of the Safe Auto Garage for me, and we spent just a couple minutes relaxing before we headed in to the hospital to report to pre-op. I was sure it was going to be the last time I would be outdoors for awhile, and was disappointed that it was raining. Not that I should expect any less here in Columbus Ohio, but grey skies don't exactly brighten your day when you are already a nervous wreck. When we were settled in a room, we sat and talked and joked like we always do. She is a great friend and really brought a lot of comfort to me as I anxiously awaited them to take me in. The 1:15 start time was pushed t