energy

This is a story of Micah energy. Something that all men simultaneously admire and despise, and the women wish to harness. No, it's not mountain biking, climbing, or skydiving. It's much more than that. It's the pure essence of Micah

I'd known Micah for maybe a year. We'd met at Santee boulders. He was floating around on some boulders effortlessly. Sending problems that I'd worked into submission for weeks. Being a 15 year veteran of the vertical world I was floored that he had "just picked it up." We exchanged numbers. Numerous climbs ensued. Culminating in one of my most fondest memories, Half Dome. But, like I said, this is not a climbing story.

Soon after I met Micah I invited him to a party of a co-worker/friend of mine who every February has a party to celebrate and encourage a spring deluge that will bring copious amounts of water to San Diego. As we entered the party Micah noticed that there were about a half a dozen drums lined up in the common room. I saw his eyebrows rise. "Hey, can we drum now?" was all he asked. Not knowing of his proficiency I wondered where this would go. Why question those who exhibit such special talents, those who possess a natural gift or affinity to whatever they wish to pursue. My questions were soon answered.

He grabbed a drum, I another. We sat at the fire. He tapped his and looked upward, then tapped it again. I doubt it was to his liking but not being pompous or full of himself he said nothing and settled in. The tool is nothing unless in the hands of a true craftsmen. Several others sat down with drums to join us. We started out with a fairly mundane beat. Micah looked around to those in the circle making eye contact with each as if to say, "Hey, we're in this together." Not being much of a drummer myself I wondered how I was fairing. Micah gave me an approving nod and wry smile. The beat thrummed on. Party goers continued to mingle. Conversations got louder. Every now and then Micah would strike his drum with such aplomb that the crowd would waver for a second. No words could describe the effect or the sound. His drumming escalated. It soon became apparent that those drumming alongside him were not up to the challenge. His beat did not waver, it was methodic and enchanting. It was full of power and rage, yet it didn't force itself upon you but invited you to join it. Sweat started to pour off Micah. As the other drummers tired and grew silent, Micah picked up the pace. As each drum in the circle became silent Micah picked up another beat. Filling in for what was lost. Before long there were only two drums at play. Micah's and another who could muster the endurance and strength of a supporting beat. The crowd had been raised into a state elation. There were professors and people with PHDs stomping the ground and making the dust rise. Not a soul at the party did not feel what was happening. Everyone was around the fire dancing. Micah's head was rythmically going side to side, eyes closed. He raised the beat again furiously. As he did this he began to chant. I wish I knew the dialect, if it were one. Yet, it spoke to the crowd as if in plain english. It was as if time had melted away. We could have been around a fire 1,000 years ago preparing for battle with some unknown enemy. I'm not a violent person and have never been in a fight, but at that moment I felt that there was nothing I could not overcome. As Micah continued to pound out the beat, a statuesque and lithe female made her way to the front of fire in front him. She displayed her ability to interpret his energy in dance. Unbeknownst to Micah this went on for about 15 minutes. When finally she stopped dancing and held her face within inches of his, his head stopped turning, his eyes popped open, and they held a gaze. The drumming never stopped. Micah slowly gave her a smile then his eyes closed and he began to chant and the frenzy continued. For the record, nothing more happened between the female in question and Micah that night. After the drumming had subsided, a good four hours later, they were lost in conversation for several hours. I know because he was my ride home.

I have never seen somebody such as Micah take complete control of a group of people. Every strike of his drum dictated the amount of joy and the movement of the masses. Nobody asked for it and he didn't force it on anyone. He was just there. I wish there was video of just a portion of that night. The only person he knew at that party was me. He poured his soul into that drum and everybody felt it. That is the energy of Micah. Sue, my good friend who hosted the party, has interacted with Micah only a couple of times. She is a healer who has been meditating for Micah since the incident and sending him healing energy.

Micah is an incredible person. He has taught me a lot about myself as an individual and as a father. I know in my heart that whatever the outcome is of this event that he will put in that Micah energy and come out much stronger. I have learned a lot from you Micah, and I look forward to my future lessons. You are loved and cherished.

old friends

Today is exciting because its the first day of school and 7th grade means that Im almost the highest grade at Joan MacQueen(or maybe it was 6th)--then it was called chapparal middle school. This year I made a bus stop change. Instead of getting picked up at the end of my drive way and being one of the first kids on the bus, I wanted to get picked up just inside the Palo Verde entrance so I didnt have to sit on the bus so long(and sleep 20 minutes more). I knew that all of the other bigger kids went on to high school so i would have the whole stop to myself

But whats this, a tall skinny pig-tailed girl comes walking up to the stop. "Great" I said to myself, "I gotta share the stop with a -girl-.!!". What do you accpect? I was still 8 or 9 months from being a teenager.

Wait ... "there's more kids coming" I said to myself. "Cool, someone to talk to at least, and it looks like new kids!

It was two boys they looked like brothers. The first was obviously the oldest. A little taller, darker haired, and faster moving than the youngest. I remember they were saying each others names--=-"Sim!! " I heard first. Then following with a slight sarcasm and tiring "Micah!!"

"Hi," the oldest said as he reached the spot where the girl and I were standing, "I'm Simeon, whats your name?" "My name's Art!" then Simeon turned to Stephanie Parker, "and whats yours?"

"Stephanie." she replied. About that time the other brother caught up, breathing slightly heavily, and I swear i could never forget how Micah would get sweat on his upper lip.

But no introductions here. All I can remember is Micah slightly perturbed about something. I kind of laughed to myself becuase I could obviously see the rivalry between the two.

Micah, if i remember correctly was wearing a trenchcoat, he had fairer hair than Simeon and he was chubby just slightly, like me. Who knew this little freckle-faced kid would wind up being one of my best friends in my LIFE, and the whole Ralphs family would wind up being a part of my life, unusually, for being just the family of my soon to be friend.

My name is Arturo Nichols, and I'm from Alpine. Micah was like my best friend when we were kids. We did everything, stayed the night, went to movies, we fought, we played, skateboarded, rode bikes, built forts, made funny recordings of us being silly, we got into trouble together too. I moved away a little after 8th grade my parents bought a house in Montana, but kept the Alpine home so guess who I would call as soon as I got back to Alpine, Micah. Those visits happened maybe two or three times, and then I didnt see him for quite a few years. I would call once in a blue moon. He had the same phone number forever.

Around 10th grade there was a gap of about 6 or 7 years.

When I was around 22 my family had to move back to Alpine because my Grandmother was getting older and I had a girlfriend and a little baby boy and we were going to move into our own house next to the rest of my family. It didnt take long for me to pick up the phone and call Micah. He was there and we talked and then I walked over to his house to see my old friend and catch-up on our lives.

This time he was skinny and he had long hair, other than that he was the same old Micah, except maybe a mellower version. We were buds again, I remember all of us going out to where the ducks were and playing drums. That was the first of many drum sessions to come, but that first drum was epic, I remember feeling so weird but it was the coolest thing that I had probably expierenced at the time.

We were bros again and it was like that for years.

I consider Micah to this day to be one of my best friends still. I think about him every so often. These last 7 or 8 years we hadnt hung-out as much as before, but hes still my good friend.(Our interests changed and having families keeps one busy too.)

When I heard the news of what happened I felt so bad and the shock has lasted up until now. Writing this e-mail and remembering the good times has brought me to tears, crying is healthy.

Ok now.

Micah, I love you bro, my heart goes out to .you bro and I have put you in my prayers everyday. You knew my Mom has turned the barn into a church right? Well all of us here at the church and my Mom and especially Me..We're all rooting for you bro. Your mom is right bro, if anyone can walkaway from this, its you Micah. I will always be here and I'm waiting to hear a happy return from you. Im sure it will be a while before we see each other again(In Gods time). I want to let you know I havent ever forgot about you bro!Hurry back!

----Blessed is the man who perseveres under trail, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12