With love from Michael George Kimber

Posted on | March 13, 2018 | 1 Comment

Many years ago I went searching through the internet for other versions of myself. I found Michael George Kimber. He was working on a blog, putting up awesome stories and he was 75 and British. Obviously I had to reach out to him. I expect I had a good amount of coffee before I did. I expected a funny story to come of it. I had no idea how cool I would be when I was 75 or how I’d get even better by the age of 83. Or that we’d become Facebook friends and his rare messages to me would become a precious gift.

Here are links to the first two stories I did about our odd time travel friendship. Words From Myself As a 75 Year Old Man and The Return of Michael George Kimber

His messages vary from urging me to get famous before he dies to deeply personal statements on my Facebook wall. All of which shows his incredible heart.

To give you a quick example, I made a post on Bell Let’s Talk Day:

I think going through mental health problems teaches you hard life is. Not just for yourself but for everyone. And really reinforces how important is to be kind. To yourself and to everyone else because they are carrying around an inner life just as complicated and difficult as your own. We aren’t wired to be happy. The people who help you get through those times have been through them. They let you know you have to be patient because it takes a really time to get up after you’ve spent years falling without realizing it. They’ll tell you something you won’t believe which is that it won’t always feel like this. The most important thing I would tell anyone is not to put pressure on themselves to feel differently. Ironically when you accept your feelings they stop having complete control over you. When you get angry at your feelings you are literally only hurting yourself. You can’t suppress thoughts. But thoughts naturally dissipate on their own. It’s like not taking a shit because you don’t want to fart. It makes zero sense. You also aren’t always going to feel like this. You’re going to kiss people on the mouth. You are going to wildly dance in your empty apartment. You’re going to do things you didn’t think you could do. And even when you’re in the worst places you can be loved. You can be there for the people in your life. The idea that you’re the most fucked up person in the world is wrong. You see the unedited version of yourself inside your head and everyone else seems so composed because you only hear what they say out of their mouths instead of the heads. Everyone is fucked up. Everyone needs someone to listen to them. If there’s something that’s really hurting you, that you haven’t talked about find someone who will listen to you. Because you deserve that. Because you don’t have to carry everything by yourself. Because we need eachother. Because there aren’t enough professionals to look after the need. The people who keep us alive are unqualified, compassionate and just trying their best. Do your best.

This was his response:

Hi Michael, Thought it was time I took a look at you to what you’re getting up to. Read you’re piece – makes a lot of sense. Wish I’d known you when I was young, when I needed a sympathetic ear. Of course when I was young you were not around so back to square one. I hope the people who read you’re words are spreading the word.
Be nice to each other. Simple!
Best wishes, the other Michael G Kimber

Now you’re probably wondering what got me to make this post. Well, apparently as an 83 year old British man I still write awesome love poetry. He wrote an amazing love poem I was moved to share with you. With his permission I’m posting it for you to enjoy.

We’ve just had Mother’s Day, so here’s one for Lovers Day

Optimism

Am I the only one who cries,
when music soars and stirs the heart;
when a golden voice in euphoric rise;
sings a lover’s song before they part.

Am I the only one who tries,
to dab the tears before they fall.
When love and all emotion dies,
to fuel the heartache in us all.

Do others weep in deep surprise,
when visions tear the soul in two;
by artful beauty framed in sighs,
or wondrous nature, sublime in hue.

When hope is gone it’s in my eyes,
for one who wears his heart on sleeve.
Who’s world is gone with no reprise;
and is left alone to cry and grieve.

And then, will it be at my demise,
at drama’s death for love gone wrong.
With heaving chest one can’t disguise,
and with grieving hope for one last song.

My tears are real, they tell no lies,
I cannot help the ones I shed.
At deep despair of sad goodbye’s,
without relief when love is dead.

But wait -
For without warning up it flies,
when human spirits rise above.
A new day dawns with stunning skies;
and I’m ready once again for love.

I’m ready for the lows and highs
of love’s sweet dance and tête-à-tête.
For all the things that love implies,
I’m ready now; I cannot wait.

Once more I yearn to know those ties,
that bind two lovers, hearts and minds.
A love from which one cannot prize,
until; until the end of time unwinds.

© Michael G Kimber

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Comments

One Response to “With love from Michael George Kimber”

Michael (George) Kimber
March 14th, 2018 @ 4:47 am

Thank’s Michael for this tribute.
Although we live thousands of miles apart and are separated in age by a similar chasm, it is still possible to share a friendship.

Here’s to hands across the sea.

I hope your readers will enjoy my poem;
with very best wishes. Michael

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About

Michael Kimber is a 26-year-old journalist who suffered a nervous breakdown on November 3rd, 2009. On March 28th, 2010 when he recovered from mental illness, he began writing a blog called Colony-of-losers. About falling on your face to figure out who you are and the hilarious antics of a blond jew. What began with a few friends and his mother reading has become a cult phenomenon, averaging 10,000 views a week, receiving praise from Commonwealth Award Winner Shandi Mitchell and many others. On, November 3rd, 2010, the one year anniversary of his mental breakdown he signed with Anne McDermid and Associates, the largest literary agency in Canada. In a year he went from wearing pajamas, making his couch depression HQ to leaving his hometown for the Toronto, where he exclusively wears business suits and the armor of ancient Greeks. Don't worry, he's still choking on the feet he contently sticks in his mouth and making moments awkward just by being part of them. During these struggles he met other talented bastards and drew them into his circle. Peter Diamond became his illustrator. Patrick Campbell his video editor and part time photographer. He recently added the incredibly talented John Packman as Colony of Losers Toronto photographer. Without the support of the Colony of Losers, Michael Kimber would be nothing. Welcome to the losers and the success that comes from utter and complete failure. You aren’t alone. Follow him on twitter.com/colonyoflosersand twitter.com/quimbo. If you’d like to hire him for a public speaking engagement for mental health events in Toronto, like to arrange an interview, offer millions to publish his book or for another reason contact Michael please email him. And join his facebook Colony of Losers.

Really obvious disclaimer:
I’m not a trained psychologist. Just a fellow traveler. If you need help seek it from the professionals. The Canadian Mental Health Association provides a help locator. You can find crisis resources provided by the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. If you are in the states check here. It will give you services by zip code. I’d also recommend checking out Mindyourmind.ca. I think they do great work and have been a help to me personally.