What Good is an Old Grouch?

In all of us there's a mix of artist and detective, scientist and poet, victim and philanthropist.  The challenge is to maximize the positive.  The life of Michael Brooks is a shining example.

He mutters under his breath as he squints into the viewfinder, adjusting aperture and film speed for the darkness. Next door a mysterious car has arrived - he zooms in, capturing images of money changing hands, a small package slipped from one person to another, someone lighting up an illegal substance, and the license plate. He will snap many photos over the next few months, shooting from behind a curtain in the late night hours.

Another night he dons camouflage and squats behind the bushes at 1 AM. He shivers through cold and light rain, capturing more license plates to report to the police. He whispers to himself, fighting the urge to scream out at the people selling drugs.

Yes, he’s an old grouch - he generally keeps to himself, minding his own business. But he hates seeing illegal activities infiltrating this neighborhood of quiet retirees, widows, and parents with young children.

There’s much more than meets the eye about this old grouch - if you knock on his door selling some product, you won’t be there long. And don’t make the mistake of calling him on the phone for a survey; his angry response will burn your ears and you will hang up rapidly.

You might say his belligerent attitude stems from years of abuse as a child, or it could be his reaction to the years of prejudice he faced. His father believed that his epilepsy made him mentally retarded; he tried to ship his own son off to an institution - and treated him like the scum of the earth. When Michael could bear the abuse no longer, he ran away - choosing life on the streets as preferable to the mental and physical anguish he had endured with no recourse.

But Michael Brooks is far more than just a grouch with a sharp tongue. He is a believer, but you probably won’t see him in church; although he wasn’t raised in the church he has attended a few times. He prays daily, asking God’s protection and guidance, and thanking Him for His help in many ways. But people with good intentions ask questions uncomfortable for him to answer - like why doesn’t he work, what kind of disability does he have, or why isn’t he married. That discomfort and the fear of having a seizure in public are enough to keep him to himself. It may surprise you to learn that God watches over him in mysterious ways.

When he was still living on the streets, God sent an angel - in the form of a retired Army sergeant who took him in, sought medical attention for his seizures, and taught him about life and a trade - photography.

And when after years of faithful service, his loving dog had to be put to sleep, God showed him amazing favor again; within 3 days an abandoned Dalmatian puppy was given to him. She too possessed the amazing instincts concerning seizures and immediately became his new companion and guardian. And when the vet examined her and estimated her date of birth, Michael saw another sign of God‘s hand - she was born on his birthday.

Last year Michael became even moodier than usual; those close to him knew something was wrong. But even though he was suffering constant abdominal pain, seizures, and digestive and kidney problems, he still thought of others. He donated artworks to churches and to the Kidney Foundation, he raised funds to help an artist in California diagnosed with terminal cancer. And he undertook involved plans to raise funds for a small community Volunteer Fire Department.

He hates going to the doctor, always has. He hates being labeled, probed and poked, diagnosed, and examined. Only after prolonged severe pain did he finally consent to see a doctor, and for quite some time the treatments only made his condition worse. Finally, the tide is turning and his health is returning.

But he has friends - people who love this old grouch. They see beyond his rough exterior to the kind and giving heart below. That’s why people around the globe are combining efforts to create a surprise birthday party for this man. They plan to return his friendship with photography, art, and music - things he loves.

Emails, cards, letters, photos, poems, video clips and songs are being sent from as far away as England, South Africa, Washington, Canada - from various ages and ethnic groups - to cheer this old grouch. He will be honored with a special video and a scrapbook containing remembrances from some of the people his work has touched.

Of course, he’ll probably fuss and fume about the whole thing - he’ll grumble and mutter when they all yell “surprise!” But he will really appreciate it - he will see that there are many people who care about him - who appreciate his friendship - and they will tell him what he means to them.

So, what good is an old grouch? There is actually a lot of good in this one - good purpose, good intentions, and a good heart.