I met a young man at the local cigar shop. He initially seemed very quiet and reserved. As I got to know him I found he really was just a very private person. Once we started interacting I found him to be a very interesting person who was very passionate on some topics. One of the most passionate topics was cigars. He never made you feel he was superior or his opinions were better than yours. He like strong cigars and well matched single malt scotch.
Once you made to his list of friends, he was always ready to talk. Pick a topic – any topic and you would spend the rest of the night talking, smoking, and sipping.
Around Christmas of last year, he was given some very bad news about his health. Through the next 10 months he would undergo many medical procedures, but he never lost his optimistic outlook nor his desire to talk, smoke, and sip. He also showed me that deep within each of us is a hidden strength and we should not hide it from others.
He lost his battle with leukemia a few weeks ago. I will miss the talking, smoking, and sipping. I will cherish all of the moments we did get to spend with him, his wife, and step-daughter. I will cherish is quirky smile and his quick wit.
George Burns has had his definition of a successful man requoted many times. And I will attempt to re-quote it here with a minor variation: “For a man to consider himself successful he must each day have the company of a fine woman, a glass of fine wine, and have a good smoke. In addition a man must also spend time in the company of good friends”.
To you Miguel, my friend. Heaven has the best scotch, the best cigars, and the knowledge that one day you will be accompanied by the woman you loved and the friends you made here on Earth.