Skutch is a reporter who looks like an actor in a B movie playing a reporter but he's the very best at what he does.
For years he took my calls pitching a story for The Savannah Morning News or would call me demanding, "Elliott what in the Hell is going on?"
We had lots of fun and made lots of News.
I feel obligated to respond to him.
Because I'm not the Mike I used to be.
Thirty years of helping the poor, homeless, people living with AIDS, the sick, addicted and insane take their toll and something inside of me broke one day and I can't put Humpty Dumpty together again.
Jesus only lasted 3 years.
Just like it was the politics of it that crucified him in the end ... that's what did me in.
The biased silliness of the American Political Process ... and the endless demands and conditions of people who give money to help the poor ... the ruthless conniving of the "Helping Community" who take far more than they give ... the hollow promises of the Religious World ... the ceaseless inquiries of family wanting me to take care of their problem when they're perfectly capable of doing it themselves ... they take their toll.
And I broke and everything about that world came to an end and E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. about my life changed.
Just like Jesus came back in a different way ... I have too.
For me it's a time of healing and receiving love ... enjoying it.
The other night Sarah and I are having drinks and a bite at a bar in Savannah when a torrential rain comes. We have to pick up Maddie, our 13 year old, so I tell my wife I'll run to the car and drive back to get her.
Thankfully, I only wear black running shorts, tee shirts and flip flops these days when clothes are necessary so it's easy to strip down to the shorts and take off into the rain.
A group of homeless people stand under the awning of Junk Shop on Franklin Square where we're parked see me.
"GO ELLIOTT!" a woman yells clapping.
"IT'S THE REV!" a giant black man grins.
Smiling, I blow them kisses in the rain, jump in the car ... get my family ... and go home ... to keep doing what I'm doing.
I'm not the Mike I used to be.
I think I'm a much better one.
