RIP John Mickel

This has been such a terrible year for us and it keeps coming. We lost Tim’s Dad, John Mickel this past week. He had been sick at home for a couple years now but still this was very unexpected. John was the sweetest, wisest, funniest and totally unpretentious persons I have ever met. He was the quiet Lion in the room. A skilled and famous botanist who had published several books specializing in Ferns. We were always surprised when we traveled - how well know he was in his field. Tim and I were in Rio on vacation and always loved to go to regional botanical gardens. When we walked into the gift shop to buy souvenirs, his books were at the counter and the staff knew about him and smiled and said the nicest things about him. He and Tim’s Mom, Carol, created this beautiful home and garden which seemed to be like this incredible Narnia like space as you entered their secret driveway and entered their beautiful world. We had SO MANY family events at their home full of joy and laughter - croquet games, weddings, easter egg hunts, fern frenzy plant sales, birthday parties, extravagant and delicious Thanksgiving and Holiday meals together. John was at the center of all of those events - orchestrating along with Carol so much joy and love. It was such a tradition for John to prepare his maps and clues for family Treasure Hunts. In some ways I feel like we have lost Shangri-La. Such a huge loss for all of us. We love you John. I will especially miss your Dad jokes.