Finding a Father's Embrace: A Tribute to Big Mike "Daddy Mike"

Trina Sasine

Robert and I have been coming to GTC for 22 years. In all that time, I had met Big Mike only briefly. That changed after Dorian. I first volunteered and was then hired to work at the GTC clinic in my role as a Nurse Practitioner. My clinic position offered me the opportunity to meet and get to know many GTC residents and visitors as friends.

It was a typical day in the clinic when I went out to the waiting room to see who my next patients were. Big Mike and Rita were sitting there waiting for me. It was Big Mike who first caught my attention. He wore clothes just like my daddy, who always dressed to a "T." His mannerisms in conversation were just like my daddy's. His total presence felt just like my daddy's! Looking at Big Mike literally stopped me in my tracks as I once again felt the loss of my daddy, who had passed just three years prior.

I walked over to him and shared with Big Mike this similarity in stature and nature to my daddy, except for the color of his skin. I said, "You are so much like my daddy, whom I've lost! Will you be my daddy?" Big Mike put his arms around me and said "yes" both in his words and with his huge, comforting hug. From that day forward, Big Mike made a point of stopping in the clinic to say "hey" and check in on me. It still brings tears to my eyes just to think about the kindness of this man.

I miss him.

In memory of Big Mike and his impact on the GTC community, please consider donating to the Big Mike's Community Center.

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