Michael the Machine

My son is BIONIC! No, he’s not the Six Million Dollar Man but he is as close to a machine then any of my other children.

Growing up, Michael was the mischievous one with the infectious grin. He was the one who at five years of age, during a weekday morning, had a hernia operation. In the afternoon, he rode his big wheel down the driveway, across the street and down the cul-de-sac.

He broke his finger in 8th grade, while practicing football for the big All-Star game. He had it set and colored his cast black. The day of the game, he put on his uniform and with a scissor, cut off his cast and played the entire game.

When he was 27, Michael, was driving home from Georgia, the car veered out of control, and he was ejected through the open roof of the car. Michael landed on the grassy strip. He was life- flighted to the hospital. That would be his first flight on a helicopter, which I doubt he remembered.

Michael had a number of lacerations and stitches, a bruised kidney and broke a few vertebrae in his back. He ended up having back surgery, where they put in screws to hold the vertebrae in place and went through rehab. Within a year, he ran a full marathon.

A few days ago, I received a call from Michael’s wife, saying that he was in the hospital where he had emergency surgery to remove his appendix. I saw him a day after he had been discharged. Michael was getting around just fine and wasn’t taking any pain killers. We went out for lunch at a new restaurant by his house. Michael ordered an appetizer, sushi platter with soup and salad and a Mongolian beef dish with white rice. Later we drove through the Drive-In window at Dairy Queen, where Michael ordered chocolate malt and a banana split!

He assured us that he was still going to the beach, and he intended on driving. My daughter in law did most of the driving, while I did some. We stopped frequently so that the Bionic guy could walk around, as the doctor instructed.

Michael is an amazing kid, who is a well oiled machine, rivaling the Six Million Dollar Man. Without a doubt, my bet is on Michael!