My Angel

Hey everyone. I had the unique perspective of having mike in my life from day 1. I'm Johnny, his oldest nephew. I hadn't looked at this website until today, mostly because I didn't feel like crying. Well I'm sitting in the airport, waiting for a delayed flight and decided it was about time. So now im posting my memory, with happy tears in my eyes.
Mike hooked me up with my first lacrosse stick, a busted pealing white brine shaft, and a savage head with a traditional string job, when I was in 6th grade. I also got a "bucket helmet" anyone who has been around the game knows how ugly those relics are. Well from that day I was hooked. Anyway my memory of Mike happened in Barbados. We had gathered the whole family together to celebrate my grandparents anniversary. I had snuck a couple of sticks down in my duffle bag. Well I busted those bad boys out and asked Mikey to play a little. I was about 14 and I toss Mikey the ball. No Problem. Then Mike throws it back, and by throw I mean launch at what seemed like a 1,000,000,000 mph. I just looked at him as the ball went bay and said "really?" haha mikey just laughed and we went and got the ball together. We continued to play catch after we found the ball, and Mike refused to slow down the passes. I was frustrated at him then, but looking back on it, that was the best thing he could have done. Growing up with Mikey's rocket passes made for an easy transition into my future role as a defenseman. I remember going to tryouts and not caring about getting hit by a shot, since mikey had been doing it for so long. He really taught me a fundamental lessons. They're not gonna slow down their shot because u get in the way. He also taught me not to drink out of his "Ice Tea" bottles.
Mike was a great mentor, and he is the reason I came to St. Louis. I play lacrosse at Fontbonne, thanks in great part to Mikey's influence. To all his boys, u guys got lucky, u had a great coach and a legend teach you the game, to all his friends (the old guys) haha, I wish I could have seen Mikey in his prime at Notre Dame.
My personal feelings about Mikey's moving on are, #1 I know he is in heaven and he is waiting for all of us with a big half crooked smile,and #2 I KNOW he s putting together the perfect field, so that when we all join him, we will have a kick ass field to play on.
Mikey, I love u, I miss you, and I hope u will always look down on me and smile, proud that you can call me your nephew. Mike you taught me everything I would ever need to know,and you are all the role model I will ever need. (Don't worry, u too Dad) :-)
Count On Me, forever
-Johnny Sennett