Michel Wayne Howe

Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another. - Ernest Hemingway So what are the details of the life Mitch lived? He was a friend like no other, without a doubt he would do anything, even to his own detriment or to the frustration and expense of his family in some instances, for his friends. Really though he was the same way to his family, you just had to listen to a little more shit from him before he would relent and do whatever he could to help you. I was lucky enough to know him in both capacities, friend and family, and can honestly say he treated me far better than I may have deserved a lot of times. He knew a lot about a lot. Jack of all trades master of none would definitely describe Mitch, though he was better than most at a whole lot of things. I could never tell him this while he was alive and didn't need to, he already knew it. Humility not necessarily his strongest suit for sure, even though I believe he was one of the most self deprecating people I've ever known. That was Mitch a bunch of contradictions. Huge heart ,nasty temper, Generous to a fault , extremely selfish all at the same time. He could be so stubborn and closed minded when any view that opposed his own was presented. He was rough around the edges to be sure in areas concerning social graces but I think he was extremely comfortable in his own skin and really wasn't impressed by anyone who would judge him on such things. He loved solving the worlds problems on Friday nights with Andrew, crabbing for more hours than his body could bear with Mike, fishing with Randy or George, camping with Cyndy and Allison when they had their trailer, playing billiards with Frank or his brother Bill, hunting with Clint, playing darts with whoever, boating, hanging out at local watering holes and just spending time with his buddies. He was a guys guy as they say and that's why I thought it appropriate to start with a quote from Ernest Hemmingway the ultimate mans man. He was so loved by his wife Cyndy and his daughter Allison that I think at times it brought him great guilt. Not that he didn't love them equally as much, he just could never consistently express it to them in the way I know he really wish he had. I know from talks that he and I had that he had many, many regrets in his life and that is, I think, the reason he punished himself and his body the way he did for so many years. He was an absolute testament to the wonders of modern medicine because he probably should have left us long ago. Selfishly I m glad he hung around as long as he did, he taught me so much about things dads teach their sons even though I'm just the guy who came along and stole his little girl. If only I had been a white guy he'd probably be resting much easier now. I think the only things that saved me were Taylor Ryan and Brooklyn Jean. He absolutely adored his beautiful little grand daughters( even if he didn't like their names, this of course coming from a guy named Michel) and I know he cherished having them so near. So much so it may have even made having Allison and I in the house somewhat tolerable. Seriously, he and Cyndy have been the most amazing in-laws, friends, family anyone could ever be blessed with. They treated me as if I was there own son from almost the first time I met them even though I haven't always deserved to be so loved. I could spend the rest of my life trying to repay them for all they have done for Allison and I and probably still come up short. So what are the details of Mitch's death? Mercifully he died peacefully in his sleep in the addition he built on his home. His last days were like many of the days of his life, long and filled with suffering. Mitch had every serious illness and disease a person could seemingly have. Even still, while I think all of us who shared his home with him suspected the end was near it still seems so sudden to me. I don't know if he knew when he laid down on the couch Sunday night that he wasn't going to wake up, but I do know he did lay down a largely changed man. Far from perfect but profoundly changed in so many special ways. Not quite as angry or impatient, not as harsh or cutting with his words, grateful for everyday he was given, and so filled with the love and concern of his wife, daughter , grand daughters, and son in law. I believe at the end of your life the best most of us can hope is that we have more on the positive side of the ledger than on the negative side and I think despite all his regrets and his obvious faults Michel Wayne Howe was able to accomplish just that. So Mitch where ever you are now, whether your worm food like you believed or in heaven like I believe I promise you this, as long as there is breath in my body your girls: Cyndy, Allison, Taylor and Brooklyn will always be loved, protected and cared for all of their days. I'll miss you in the kitchen buddy, love you bye. In lieu of flowers please make donations to: The Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society 7155 Oakridge Drive San Antonio, Texas 78229 (USA) or online at: https://www.chromosome18.org/Support/MakeaDonation/tabid/150/Default.aspx In Dedication to Mitch Howe for Taylor Davis