Such Is Life

Wow. I guess I knew it was coming. It has been for a while, but in the end it happened so swiftly it still took us all by surprise somewhat.

My eldest brother Michael, has passed away. He was 61, and had been battling lung cancer for the best part of two years. What killed him though, was an infection that they couldn't treat, due to his ongoing chemotherapy.

I was fortunate to have been able to see him regularly for two years recently - from mid 2016 to 2018, while we were between mining jobs, and living in Barooga. I think I spent more time with him in that period than in the rest of my life combined, so it was a big part of our relationship as brothers.

Mick was one of the few people I have ever known to totally reinvent themselves. Well perhaps not totally - he never lost who he always was and where he had come from. He just toned it down, and replaced the f*ck it attitude with a lets do it attitude. After many years as a bikie, and living on the fringes of society, Mick met his long-term partner Robyn, settled down, and had a life. He started his own cleaning business, and had an awesome work ethic, as well as a great deal of pride in his work. It was impressive and wonderful to see. His father would have been so happy to see it, as were the rest of us.

Compared to me, he actually did it damn tough. We all grow and adapt, but as I said, Mick had to reinvent himself. Kudos to you my brother, not many could do what you did.

When I was home last week we had his wake. Mick didn't want a funeral, he just wanted those who were part of his life to gather, have a drink and share some memories. So we did just that. I was a little hesitant to speak initially, but I'm glad I did. It was important that everyone knew just how proud his family were of what Mick did with his life. I also told the funny story of him in Footscray, jumping off his balcony in his undies with an axe-handle to go and tell a gang of youths to bugger off. That was when I first got to know him as an adult - when I was at uni and he was living in Melbourne. We saw each other a few times then, had yum cha, had a few drinks, good memories. Alas when I left for the west I didn't see him again for years. But these last two years we made up for it. Mick came in the shop almost daily, and we had him over often. He even agreed to be godfather for our boy Daniel.

Rest in peace my brother.