A legacy.

On March 31, 2010, my precious grandfather went to Heaven to be made complete with God. I never imagined the day that Mymike would leave this world and enter the gates of Heaven. I never believed that day could or would come...not for a very very long time. But Alzheimers is a dreadful, disgusting disease, and I am so relieved to know that he will NO longer suffer the horrible effects of it. His life was celebrated with two different memorial services; one in Ocean Isle and one here in Charlotte. He left a legacy. His life was full of service, commitment, honor, and discipline. He was an amazing man and an awesome grandfather.

There are several stories that stick out in my mind when I think about Mymike. One of the things that I'll never forget was how my brother and I would sleep out on the floor of the living room at the "farm" when we were younger so that we would hear when Mymike woke up around 5:00am to head out to the trash "dump" and then to the convenient store and then to Hardees for breakfast. If we weren't out there, so that he would literally have to step over us on his way out the door, there was no way we would get to go. It was such a special time, before the rest of the family, or anyone really, was awake. My favorite thing to get at the convenient store was those little carmel cream candies. Mymike was a pipe smoker and another thing I remember was sitting in his chair making all kinds of shapes, people, structures out of his pipe cleaners. I would sit there for hours just twisting and bending them and then pretending with whatever I created. Mymike had stories about everything. I remember his favorite story to tell about when he was a young boy was when he and a friend would tie a piece of fishing line to a wallet. They would then lay the wallet down on the sidewalk and jump behind a bush. Just when somone would bend down to pick up the wallet, they'd yank the fishing line, pulling the wallet out of their reach and totally freak the person out. Pranksters.

Mymike LOVED, and I mean LOVED, Reilly. He just had a special thing with her. During the last year or so of his life, it seemed like she was really the only thing that could make him smile and laugh. We tried to get those two together as much as possible b/c it was such a joy to him to have her around. They really had a special thing going. Mymike would just clap his hands and "rap" (his language was very jumbled and limited in the later stages of his disease) while she would dance and clap along with him. It was super special.

I'm so blessed to have gotten to spend such special times with my grandfather. I just wish there could have been more. But, we'll have all of eternity for that!

Michael Gregory Allen Mr. Allen, 77, of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, formerly of Charlotte, NC, died Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in the Universal Healthcare System, Bolivia, NC. Mr. Allen was a Graduate of Fork Union Military Academy. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps and was proudly selected to be a member of the Presidential Honor Guard stationed at 8th & I in Washington, DC. After leaving the Corps, he joined the Continental Insurance Company in Richmond, VA. He continued in the Insurance business and was relocated to Charlotte, NC where he was elected as Director of the Insurance Advisory Committee. He became a partner with McPhail, Bray, Murphy & Allen that later became McPhail, Bray BB & T. His dedication to Civic work led to him receiving outstanding recognition. He was a member of the Charlotte Rotary Club for over 30 years, being named a Paul Harris Fellow; elected to appear in the 1967 edition of the Outstanding Civic Leaders of America, two consecutive years received the Outstanding Young Man Award from the Jaycees and Junior Chamber of Commerce: served as scout master at Sharon United Methodist Church for many years; a volunteer fireman with the Sharon Volunteer Fire Department; served for 5 years as Mecklenburg County Fire Commissioner and a member of the Charlotte Fireman's Relief Board of Trustees for over 30 years. He retired in 1991 after 23 years with McPhail Bray Murphy & Allen. Upon retirement, he moved to Ocean Isle Beach, NC to develop and run the Pelican Pointe Marina with two of his children. He became involved with the Ocean Isle Beach Fire Department and was instrumental in the planning, location, and construction of the present Ocean Isle Beach Fire Department. He later became Chairman of the Board of Ocean Isle Beach Fire Protection Association, Inc. Mr. Allen was preceded in death by his brother, Earle Watts Allen. Surviving are his loving wife, Frances P. Allen; five children, Debra Allen Cash, husband William Boyce Cash, Michael Gregory Allen, Jr., wife Terri Barnhart Allen, Clay Babcock Allen, wife Dawn Eads Allen, Clarke Davis Allen, George Watts Allen; six grandchildren, William Brandon Cash, Lindsey Cash Turner, Michael Gregory Allen, III, Kristina Maria Allen, Carson Davis Allen, Cooper Clarke Allen; two great-grandchildren, Reilly Virginia Turner and Braxton Thomas Turner. Memorial services are planned for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at the Shallotte Presbyterian Church by The Reverend John Causey and 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 10, 2010 in the Sharon United Methodist Church, Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC.