We lost the Miz 5 years ago and it feels like yesterday I was helping him with something. For the last 5 years people been asking me my favorite memories of him, I would smile and turn away for his loss to me was unbearable. Now I would like to share my fondness memory of him . In Nov. 2005 we traveled to Orlando for the IPT “King of the Hill“ Mostly quite on the way up, Steve was watching his DVD player and me as my usual duty as driver. When we arrived I was pushing him around in his wheelchair. Steve was happy to see a lot of his old friend there and trade stories. We went in to the restroom so Steve could fix himself up and look appropriate. When a gentleman came in with a puppy under his arm, I was introduced to Barry Behrman, Promoter of the U.S. Open 9 Ball Championship. He told Steve that “ You, Me, Your Friend (me), and Buddy, will go out to dinner after the show.” That put a smile on Steve’s face. We went in and Charlie Rosetti gave Steve such an awesome introduction. It was a standing ovation that lasted for minutes. Fast forward to after the event and we started to leave. Barry was with us and his puppy. I came to a long corridor and stopped. Turned around and looked back. When I turned forward Steve was pointing to the puppy. “The dogs’ name is Buddy” Steve said. I have never been so embarrassed in my life. I was looking for “The Rifleman” Buddy Hall, Didn’t even begin to think that the dogs’ name was Buddy. I was redder that a Seminole at a casino. Barry was looking at me funny, I couldn’t sink any lower or get out any faster. We got to the restaurant, we ate, had a good laugh at my expense. Buddy stole the show from the wait staff. Dropped Barry and Buddy off at their hotel and started to head back. I would think that would be the end of it right, wrong. For the 2 hour ride back was “I can’t believe you didn’t know the dogs’ name was Buddy, The dogs’ name is Buddy, The freckin dogs’ name is Buddy. Jesus Christ the dogs’ name is buddy. This lasted for the entire ride home. On a later note when Barry held the 2006 U.S. Open in Steve’s Honor. I was giving the privilege to walk Buddy while Barry attended some business. It wasn’t being called up in front of the Billiard world and getting introduced and a hug from Barry. Telling everyone about me and Steve. It was walking a little dog that certain people noticed me there. I gave Barry a Picture of Me, Steve and Buddy Hall as a inside joke to my blunder from a couple months earlier. The Brad Pitt movie “Fightclub” has a chant where everybody says “His name is Robert Polson” I don’t hear that instead I hear Steve in my head saying “The dogs’ name is Buddy” over and over again. A week later I found out Steve went with me to Orlando to show me what it is like to be him, and that on that day he felt sick but went anyway. Never complained and always smiling. Life has been boring since his passing. To the world he was the MIZ, to me he was my best friend.
To Jean Marie,
Thank you for finding me and showing me that I can close the door to a dark place and to once more smile in the light. You inspired me to write this and start anew. I am forever grateful to your charm , wit, and for being there when I needed someone the most. Kevin
To Jean Marie,
Thank you for finding me and showing me that I can close the door to a dark place and to once more smile in the light. You inspired me to write this and start anew. I am forever grateful to your charm , wit, and for being there when I needed someone the most. Kevin