Lonnie Bray El
Last night was a rough night for me. I found out my friend, Mike, had passed.
Mike was one of a kind. The number one thing I’m sure about Mike is he loved his wife and children. I know his home was a loving home, because he brought that love to work. He developed a buddy style of being the boss and everyone loved and respected him for it. We were all so close, Mike would even let troubles get settled between us with fist-fighting, so long as no one got hurt too bad. He let men be men, then we all laughed it off and went back to work, no threats of revenge or even avoiding the next meal together. Man shit. Mike enjoyed camaraderie with the fellas, but really he just wanted to go home and look at his wife, see what Shawn and Justin were into.
My friend, Mike, was trusting and he believed in the goodness of people and the support that he gave to that came from that big heart of his, so with tears that won’t leave my eyes, I put one in the air to tell all who read this about my friend, Mike, and the power that he gave to my life.
I met Mike at a social event. I guess I impressed him with a few martial arts lessons and ability to teach and listen and he offered me a job. I was his sales director for a time. I don’t think I ever made him a dollar, but he kept me on payroll anyway. He said, “Keep trying.” He liked me. I think as long as you showed respect to Mike, he liked you. I left work for school and Mike helped pay for it. He gave me thousands of dollars. I was able to buy books, pay for classes, and stay safe. With his help I earned a B.A. magna cum laude from Cleveland State University and an M.A. in Communications and M. F. A. or Writing from Lindenwood University.
Life can go by so fast. I didn’t realize that I haven’t spoken to Mike in a while. I was waiting for the right moment to surprise him and show him what I’ve done with the skill that he helped me gain, but I waited too late. At least I can tell who ever reads this and you’ll know that Mike did even more good. I’d say to him,
“Mike, today, I’ve authored 10 books, have over 60 national and international awards for writing and filmmaking, such as Best Director, Best Film, Best Short Film, Best Experimental Film, and Best Story. I opened a new content creation company called Film Crew.
You can see the best of my filmmaking projects in short reels at https://www.youtube.com/@FILMCREWCLEVELAND. Because of you, I give back to the community. I work with nonprofits and provide 75% off filmmaking services to them geared toward fundraising efforts that has helped to bring in money to help others in the community. UMADAOP, Circle For Reentry, and Mary’s House for Women and the people who work at those places and benefit from their existence thanks Mike. To help with grant writing and certain legal issues such as contract creation, breech, and civil action, I’m now in law school.
I opened a legal assistance business called American Law Videos to show evidence of injury in day in a life videos and to run depositions. My just got my first check from my first client, Brian O’Neal, owner of antique busses, as seen in the movie, “A Bronx Tale,” with Robert Deniro.
I couldn’t have had this life without you, Mike. I love you, Mike. Thank you, my dear, dear friend. So I put these words into the air, because you should know. And anyone connected to you, I’m there for them (216-854-4789). Peace. See you latter.”
