On Friday, July 1, I received a message from a friend. He was having a party at his house for the Fourth of July weekend and hoped I’d be able to make it. At the time, I was at a lake house in Kentucky with a bad Internet connection. I saw the message and, thinking my response wouldn’t go through anyway, decided to write him back when I returned to Columbus on Sunday.

I wish I would have thanked him and asked how he was doing, because a few short days later, my sister told me that Mickey Sheard had passed away.

From what I’ve heard, I’m not the only one who got a message from Mickey. He could have created a Facebook event, or sent out a mass text, but instead he took the time to send individual invites to people. That’s just the kind of person he was.

Although Mick’s death is not the first of a young person that Avon Lake has experienced, it doesn’t get any easier. The support of friends, family and community, however, has lessened the shock.

It was amazing to see how many people from our 2007 graduating class traveled to Avon Lake for the weekend—or even the day—from out of town and out of state to show their support for Mick and his family. 

Even more amazing was the sheer number of people who went to the services offered throughout the weekend. Mick’s younger brother said he heard that over 2,000 people attended the wake—and that was just the first day.

Mickey is someone I’ve known since I was in the fifth grade, and it’s hard to believe I won’t see him anymore. What I can tell you, and what I’m sure others who’ve known him longer than I have would tell you, is that I don’t have a single bad memory of him. He always had a smile on his face.  

This past week I’ve been thinking a lot about those good memories: going through confirmation together at the Avon Lake United Church of Christ. Coach Mick helping and encouraging us girls through Powderpuff practices. Mickey rocking the most ridiculous outfits at homecoming and prom. Daredevil Mick pulling crazy stunts, like racing down a steep driveway in a rolling desk chair at Ohio State one weekend.

If you didn’t know Mickey, ask someone who did to tell you their favorite memory of him. I guarantee it will make you smile, and help them heal.