Be Like Mike

In 1992 one of the most inspiring commercials ever aired was the Gatorade "Be Like Mike, Drink Gatorade" commercial. A great tune in the background of some of Michael Jordan’s most amazing shots on the basketball court sets the stage for the kids that “sometimes dream that he is me”. Jordan’s amazing skills and sheer love of the game and life are infectious and inspiring.

YouTube - Be Like Mike Gatorade Commercial (ORIGINAL)

Recently the “Be Like Mike” thought popped into my head, not because of the commercial but because of a couple of Mike’s that I have the privilege to work with. Both of these Mike’s are infectious and inspiring as men and fathers. One Mike recently added a fourth child to his family. His joy was evident as he shared the news about the little guy’s arrival into this world. A short time later Mike received the news that his new son was diagnosed with downs syndrome. More tests with doctors revealed that there was also a heart problem Open heart surgery for the new arrival was now added to the calendar.

I don’t pretend to know the emotions that welled up in Mike as he faced the news. What I did see was the strength of his faith in God, courage in the face of trial and undaunted hope for the future. Mike counted the blessings of living in a city that housed some of the best resources in the world for children with downs. Mikes faith and hope were evident in each prayer request he shared. And Mike's grit spoke loudest when he quietly said to me, “Folks say God won’t give you anything you can’t handle, just sometimes I wish he didn’t give us so much.” That phrase conveyed Mike’s humility and strength. Inspiring and infectious.

The other Mike is a guy that pours his heart out for his team and is always looking for the good and hoping for the best in people. It’s painful to learn that there are some that will simply take advantage of that. It stings. Such was the case for Mike in recent weeks. Confronting such vice is never easy and the hard call of severing ties with those you have poured so much into is both painful and disappointing.

This Mike also has a child with a brain tumor. It was something that popped up once when she was young and disappeared, only later to return in her teen years. Now she faces regular treatments of chemo and the family adds new meaning to the “one day at a time” acceptance of life. I can only imagine that there is a weight to this that never leaves. However, you would'nt know it if you saw the way that Mike takes on each day. Unblinking hope, zany humor and rock solid integirity are what you see in Mike. I have watched it for years. Inspiring and infectious.

Be Like Mike(s).