Mike's Place

By Michael L. Craner

Hey y’all, Mike here… the “wizard” behind the curtain of Pencilstubs, although really Mary deserves all the credit. Mary befriended me last century, way back in the 1990’s. Back then she ran a little tabloid type paper, published all over the world featuring new writers and promoting their growth, always promoting, never taking any financial credit or holding any rights to their work. We’ve always been about free speech and authors rights.

Mary and I met initially online then in person and we’ve had a special relationship ever since. While not related, we are family. I could not even begin to recite her accomplishments here without it being a very long read, but suffice it to say she has served her country and creative outlets with credit and distinction and will forever be a friend and mentor. She inspired me years ago to allow her to post my terrible poetry that were healing for me, and this is why we partnered up and formed Pencilstubs.

I contributed writings for several years, and a few more anonymously. In recent years I’ve gone more and more privately, for several reasons I won't get into here; but Mary asked me to comment on something that happened last year and I promised I would.

I still don’t know why it’s a big deal, I’ve adjusted, for the most part.

For those that know, I’m also Santa Claus...and last year I was feeding a young reindeer who mistook my finger for a carrot and bit it off.

Ok, the real story is I sliced off the skin of my middle finger knuckle at the end with a mandarin slicer because I didn’t use the guard. After weeks of bad first aid (on my part), and refusal to go to a doctor, they amputated my finger. Type 2 Diabetes played a part as well.

I spent over a week in the hospital, I aspirated, woke up in the middle thinking I was dying, was given drugs I’d never thought I’d ever have, and spent a lot of time alone, confused, and wondering if I was dying. Alone because I told my family to stay away. Because I thought this was all minor. Thankfully they still came, even though they saw me at my worst, what I never wanted anyone to see. My point is, this was a minor thing, but it took me to the veil. Imagine what a major health issue is to someone.

1) Don’t discount them, everything is significant.

2) Be there for them. Even if they don’t want you there or say its nothing.

I learned a few things. Listen to your wife and friends, see a doctor, and yah yah, that other stuff.

I’ll probably live longer thanks to them, even if I don’t trust or like them. But don’t die from stupid stuff like a bad cut. Life is too short.

And… always have a great story if you do!