Definitely Flexible

Mike had definite ideas about many things. But what was interesting about Mike was that he was also very open to new ways of looking at things. He was ready to listen to another person's point of view and very willing to re-examine and even change his way of thinking about a situation. I was often surprised at how Mike might state a firm opinion and yet quickly and happily concede the point if someone else came up with an alternative idea or opposite opinion. He never took himself so seriously that it was ever his way or the highway. Eliot talked about this in one of his blogs when he shared a story that illustrated Mike's ability to be flexible and laugh at himself.
That ability is helpful when getting involved with Donnelly traditions. And it's what made having Mike and Sarah's visits to Barrie such happy ones. Mike kept smiling even when he found out that at the Donnelly Christmas dinner he would be expected to wear a paper crown.
He kept laughing on New Year's Eve as games were played and sparklers lit.

In fact I'll never forget, while playing Balderdash that New Year's Eve - a game in which you make up definitions to fool your opponents - Mike laughing so hard that he was crying (it was probably at one of my lame definition attempts.) That memory is so vivid it's as if it happened yesterday.

He was such a good sport about visiting a family cottage on Lake Huron. Despite being allergic to the dogs that he knew would be there he would load up with his medication and arrive on the scene.

It's no wonder Mike had a wide circle of friends, as Sarah mentioned in her last blog. We love Mike because he was an easy guy to hang out with (especially if he was drinking his favourite coffee, nibbling on very old cheese and savouring the best chocolate money could buy - ha!) - a good listener, interested in what you had to say and lots of fun.

Much love, Carolyn