Weeding Out The Good Influences

Throughout this blog, I've written a lot about people who've had an influence on me. Most have been writers of note who I've never even met. Regardless. People like, say, Jack Kerouac have influenced my life in a myriad of ways – both for better and for worse. Sometimes, though, sometimes influences can come from the here and now; from the people who exist in our everyday lives.

Take, for instance, the story of Cheshire resident Mike Weed. I've only had the pleasure of meeting Mike maybe a handful of times. Yet I'm close to those who are close to both he and to his family. Recently, Mike – who's still a young man – was the victim of a terrible stroke. This is obviously a brutal development for his wife, Heidi, and for their children.

Yet people are rising to the occasion. People right here in town. I've watched as those loyal to Mike and to his family have gathered together to do their part: cooking meals, checking in, paying respects, offering prayers and even generating funds. My brother in law, Michael Mitchell, for instance, is helping prepare a public beer fest in order to help the Weeds out during this trying time.

This is fitting, for Mike Weed himself is a brewer of the appropriately named “Weed Beer.” It's also fitting because Mike Weed is someone who gives of himself to others. By participating in events such as Hartford's “Light The Night,” Mike has proven himself to be a person who cares about more than just himself. Watching a community give back to a giver is indeed a wonderful thing.

In the end, we can take inspiration from all varieties of people. When we take inspiration from those who give of themselves, however; from those who take satisfaction in helping others, we are taking it from the best and brightest among us. I'm sure Mike Weed would agree.