Breakfast 51 -- Mike Kiefer

                If it was not for the passion of Shona Clarkson, and her specific challenge to me,  I would not know Kwoyelo Ronald, Orach Amos, Okello Geoffrey, or Father Leonsyo.  For that matter, I would not know Ryan Jacobson, John Bryant, Matt Michelin or Lance and Justine.  If my sister Mary had not actively researched Marquette,  I would not know Mike Radziewicz, Tom Moule, John Niescier, or Patty and John.  And then real close to home,  if it had not been the friendship and generosity of Dave Difani,  I would never have met Mike Kiefer.

                I really thought when Phil Williams left us,  that I would never really make a new friend again.  For those of us, OGs,  it is just too hard, we are too set in our ways, and for the most part we are lazy.  It takes work to make new friends.  It takes effort, but maybe after you read this, we will all make more of an effort.  The original Vanity Card on the Big Bang Theory that kind of led to these breakfasts said the same thing.  We meet people who make us laugh and are kind and are our brothers and then we do not bother to call them again, to follow up, to share a breakfast.  I am not thinking, who have I met lately that I have not pursued it quite enough to be a friendship.  I must do better.  Who knows I might meet another Phil Williams or Mike Kiefer.  Some of the people in my life that I should spend more time with, I know.  I recently bought some of them breakfasts.

                I have to agree with Melanie (Breakfast 44) that the first time I saw Mike he was a little bit scary.  He is not.  His face looks like it could growl, or snarl or get very upset.  He is not capable of those emotions-- he is always kind and only giving.  His heart looks like it might be cold or foreboding,  it is not.  Mike has one of the kindest, most welcoming hearts I have met in this world.  Melanie and I talked about 15 minutes a week ago, saying great things about Mike and agreeing he is one of the best guys in this town.

                Mike showed me how to do almost everything at the Blackthorn.  He had some good tricks and also knew how to negotiate the busy-ness of a kitchen that sometimes has loyal customers waiting over an hour for the prize pizza.  When I first worked some night I would make mistakes, I was convinced that I would never be able to do the job.  It is a tough job physically and mentally.  Sometimes rushing in the kitchen, only makes things worse.  I used to burn myself on an oven every other shift.  Please never forget to TIP those who feed you.  But eventually with Mike as a mentor, I stopped burning myself, and I got the job done.  Now, I make a pretty good pizza.  If you think about it, I once cooked for almost 300 people in a single evening.  Please don't ever forget that sometimes when your service at a place (not the BLACKTHORN) is mediocre or poor, your server may have hustled their butt off just to make it mediocre.  I know in the early days that Mike covered for me a lot.  He used his charms and his wit to deflect the customers from my slowness or mistakes.  (Also thanks to all the customers, who realize sometimes things that don't work out, and thanks to customer who are always gracious and kind as people try to feed you -- be that person, be the nice person).

                 Soon I progressed enough with my pizza making abilities and bartending skills that Mike and I actually got to talk about the world.  I learned about his kindness, I learned about his acceptance of every one -- no matter who they were,  and I also learned that if Mike sent me a text about a turkey around Thanksgiving,  I would have to delete it fast-- definitely NSFW.  I probably enjoyed being Mike's Sunday night partner as much as any job I have had.  I enjoyed working with Mike as well as any colleague I have worked with.  We definitely had a Bromance, or a Showmance or a Pizzamance.  I absolutely love Mike Kiefer.   And so do his other colleagues.

                 Here is the thing,  Mike and I have both lived in St. Louis,  but even amongst white people in this town there are divides.  How many more people just like Mike are in St. Louis, that I did not give enough time to.  It might be because they started out in a different place, went to a different high school, or were not part of my usual associates.  That is wrong, I will try to do better.  I remember walking to the PT room at Bethesda after  my mom had hip surgery.  Who was holding up my mom giving her encouragement, it was Mikkaela (Mike calls her KK), I was so happy.  I know of very few that have worked harder for their careers or worked as hard at Mikkaela did every time at the Blackthorn.  I had to figure out new ways to work,  because when Mikkaela was making pizza I would have 14 in the oven, not my usual 8.  She was that good.  I knew there was no one better for the job.  Mikkaela and Mike  are friends, Mikkaela will laugh big when she hears stories about Mike.  They are friends.  By the way, Jane Magee loved what KK gave to her in Physical Therarpy.

              I have to also state right here in the middle that I love Mike's wife,  Fifi, as much as I love Mike.  It is very improbable that two of the best people in St. Louis live in the same house.  But maybe not, as in their own little way,  I think they make each other better. Two great different personalities loving the world, one  little spot at a time.

              So John, (p.s. this goes for all of you) get out in our world, our country, and most importantly our city and have a conversation with those that you do not know or maybe just know casually.  There might be, is. in this town,  a fantastic new friend for you.  This is what community looks like. And even if they look a little ugly or a little rough, do not be afraid.   I also want to make one more point,  Mike is getting better about hanging out with some of my long-term friends.   I love my friends of 40 years or more, but Mike is as great as any of them.  And they are great men and women.  Mike likes to say great things about me. He tells people in the bar, total strangers new friends,  that I have gone to Uganda "He goes to Africa, just to teach" or I he tells them I go to Mississippi and build houses.  He tends to think that those accomplishments are better or different than his own.  I want to tell the world (and this blog lets me do that), this simple truth.  Mike and I live with the same number of hours in a day.  I might be doing things in Uganda, but he is helping friends, helping his daughters, and spoiling his grandson in St. Louis.  I might call my organization that goes to Mississippi Share Kindness and we have stationary, but he helps many people without a fancy title.  Here is the deal:   If I could live one month of my life and extend my help, my heart,  and my ears as much as Mike does each month, I will have accomplished something special.

               The Google camera I has takes great pictures,  look to the right.  I think it often captures the essence of the person.  Maybe not so much with the picture of Mike, in his picture the smile is just below the surface, but if you have read my words today it just means you have to dig a little bit to find the real man and his smile.  Believe me, it is worth it.  There are many people that read this blog,  and I am extending a REAL invitation to you.  Some Sunday night after the dinner rush, call me up.   We will go down to the Thorn and have a conversation with Mike.  I already know the jokes he will tell you. If after an evening of Mike Kiefer time at the bar, you do not agree with me that he is a treasure of this town, I will pick up the tab.  By the way there is no time limit on this offer, because I sincerely believe I will not be picking up any tabs.

             Sorry have to shout this ---  I AM SO DAMN HAPPY, MIKE KIEFER IS MY FRIEND.