Gandalf

Interview #17 – Mike aka Gandalf

It was a chilly Sunday morning. As I walked to the coffee shop I used all the mind power I could muster to pretend that winter hadn’t arrived yet. Thankfully it was a short walk and I was able to gain another day of denial. I sat down with my steaming hot once-a-month cup of coffee and looked up to see Mike coming through the door.

There he was in his cold early morning glory! As he waited for his coffee I observed him. 6’4, your typical tall, dark haired handsome gentleman. Wait…that’s not typical! At least not the gentleman type. (Yes ladies, he’s available.) Mike knows all too well that being a nice guy in this day and age is not always easy or well received but he’s determined to keep the standard high so that our next generation can see an example of a good man who treats others well.

As a teacher Mike has an incredible opportunity to enrich the lives of children and he takes that position very seriously. He absolutely loves his job and his students. He will undoubtedly make an amazing mark in their lives. When people are asked who has inspired them most in life many will name a teacher. Celebrities and even family members often can’t compare to someone investing in your life, encouraging you, teaching you important lessons and being a positive example. I recently was out with Mike and we ran into two of his students. The complete adoration beaming from them as they stared up at him was nothing I’d ever seen. I wanted to figure out how I could get someone to look at me that way!

I am so glad that Mike has found places where he is comfortable sharing himself. He is very shy and sometimes has difficulty getting past that and opening up. He is hearing-impaired. When I met him in person I was surprised to see that he had two hearing aides. He’s barely 30 years old but seeing that quickly explained some of his shyness. It must be very challenging to be a head taller than everyone and unable to hear a lot of what is being said in group conversations. If I was in that position I would definitely just be quiet and hang back. Unfortunately that makes some people see him as unfriendly and unapproachable. He told me that there have been times throughout his life when he was screaming inside for someone to be his friend and talk to him. The positive part about experiencing times like those is that he now has deep compassion for other outsiders and misunderstood people. He’s been able to make wonderful friends just by taking a chance on them and he’s heard over and over, “It’s ironic that I had to find the deaf guy to get someone to really listen to me.” I think that is a powerful compliment that really shows what a great guy he is.

I need to take a moment to discuss what it means to be, “creepy”. A few times Mike has mentioned that he hates the thought that people may see him as creepy because he’s this tall quiet guy. It’s something he battles and I’m not sure who called him that in the past and gave him that idea but I really want to help banish that worry from his mind. Here’s a definition of creep that I found: “to be frightening or repellent; cause one to experience uneasiness” also I found the definition, “a boring, disturbingly eccentric, painfully introverted, or obnoxious person.” Mike, I am a very sensitive and intuitive person. I trust my gut around people and if I get the slightest bad vibe I will try not to get close to that person again. I feel nothing but happiness when I’m in your presence. You are calming, caring and interesting. I’ve polled some of your friends and acquaintances and not a single person referred to you as creepy, frightening, disturbing or obnoxious. You are introverted but not painfully so or else you wouldn’t have the courage to get on stage and entertain us all! You are not boring! You are one of the greatest storytellers I’ve ever met! Please believe that you are wonderful and people see that when they look at you. Stop doubting yourself! And to quote you, “The hurt that you’re feeling is only as powerful as you let it be.”

Mike is a strong yet gentle very talented man. He loves performing and spending time with his close and inspiring friends. He has overcome disability and shyness and he is now in a position to inspire us all. He wants to urge us all not to give up and to remember that there is always someone out there willing to listen and help each and every one of us!