June 22, 2021 at 11:51 pm
After reading the article about an old friend of mine from when i lived in Arizona, i have to say i send my love to the Adams family of Peoria, Arizona. Michael Adams is far from a racist. Maybe a bit of a lost soul, but a hippy more so then a skinhead. This is a case of failure on behalf of the Arizona Department of Corrections and their lack of transitional care for parolees, especially those with mental health issues. I tell this story so that people hear the truth about the kind of people the Adams are, and ignore the propaganda being spewed by the media.
When i was living in Peoria, Arizona, i was attending Cactus High School, where at lunch i met a girl by the name of Macey Adams. I dont think i ever told her (she had a boyfriend, and i had a girlfriend) but i was smitten the moment i saw her, and had a crush on the beautiful girl for a while after i left Arizona. Other then my gf and a fellow kid and his older brother, whom were also from the Bay Area, i didnt have many friends there as i was often uncomfortable and socially awkward. But the group of kids that Macey hung out with accepted me as i was and while i was more of a fringe member of the group of friends, i spent most lunches with this group just outside the cafeteria.
My father and i have never had a great relationship, me being a knucklehead, and him being a veteran with his own mental health issues. multiple attempts were made to help me get in less trouble or find what would be the magic fix for my antics. a few of these attempts sent me to live with my dad. my dad is the most charismatic and charming person ive ever met, and despite the fact he always shows his true colors when i just needed a father, reminding me that he is who he is.
Blind rages lead to over the top beatings and i was afraid to come home most of the time, not knowing what petty issue would be the cause of another round of steel -toed boots to the back or fists to the face. My dad down plays it to this day, but anyone whos seen him rage will know what i mean. I respect a lot about my old man. but as a father, the guy kinda just sucks.
I got to school one day with a black eye, and even the school noticed. of corse i lied to faculty writing it off as a fight i got into after school. Macey and i were talking after lunch and she offered to let me come stay the night at her house after hearing my story.
that day after school i met a family to this day have not forgotten, a family who opened up their doors to me when they barely knew me, they took care of me as if i were a part of the family for the next few days. i remember not wanting to leave. michael & macey had an awesome family, and their mom cooked great food, and their dad, who was law-enforcement, wasnt one of those cops who brought work home with him or was all high and mighty. my uncle Sean, a detective with the San Pablo PD, and a typical pig, could learn a lesson in being humble and family values from Mr. Adams.
it was then that i got the experience to get to know Michael. the kid was really smart, into all sorts of sciences and philosophies. sure he was a bit of a stoner, but he was one of those stoners who got stoned and found everything so amazing that he wanted to learn all he could about it. me on the other hand, when i get stoned, i grab all the food visible and become as unproductive as humanly possible while shortening my already short attention span.
i was only there for not quite 3 days, but the time i spent with the Adams' was a chance to experience a full family unit for the first time since i could comprehend what was going on around me. because Macey and Michael's father was a police officer, he was supposed to report my father for child abuse, yet instead of being a cop, he was a human. he respected my wishes not to do anything but said something along the lines of "if my dad kept doing it that i could come to him and he would handle it personally".
The Adams family are far from bigots. They are as kindhearted and understanding as humans come. Over the years i have maintained semi-regular contact with Macey and Michael, every so often reminding them that to this day i am still grateful for the act of kindness that was shown to me so many years ago. I have no clue as to the extent of Michael's fall into schizophrenia, but i did catch catch it. I once sent him some money, only $60, which was supposed to go towards a greyhound ticket i believe. (i could be totally wrong mixing it up with a different memory, but the purpose of the money is really irrelevant). For the next week Michael called asking if i sent the western union yet, despite that i sent it the day after we initially spoke and talked to him when i got to Safeway to send it.
Michael claimed to have not gotten the money, which i could almost believe the way he was talking over the next few days. he spoke as if it was still the day he initially asked me to send him money. even 4 days after the fact, having asked me multiple times each day, he asked me to western union him some money so he could go somewhere in 3 days. note that he was still convinced on day 4 that he had 3 days to get somewhere (or do something i cant remember exactly lol) and when i brought this to his attention, he said "no that wasnt me you talked to i would remember". he sounded wholey convinced, not like he was lying.
Within a few days of that, Michael went missing. and not just for like a day or two. for 2-3 weeks i believe. i remember Macey called and asked if i had talked to him and i told her not since i sent him money, and she told me how none of the family or any of his friends had seen or heard from him in over 10 days. while i have no clue what actually happened, from the spaciness in Michael's voice and inability to recall or comprehend our conversations, i imagine that he just walked off somewhere and walked too far. like a child wandering away from its parents at Disney Land, lost in the crowd. that was always my take on the situation.
Michael Adams is not be mentally stable, and he is clearly guilty for he action which his mental instability brought about, but he is not a racist and this crime has nothing to do with him hating anyone for the color of their skin. Michael and Macey are two good people whom i havent seen in years but who's open hearts and loving nature left a lifelong impact on a man who has experienced the best and worst life has to offer. I will always remember Michael as the hippy kid that seemed to know everything about anything. Macey will always be that crush i never took a chance on but gave. And all of the Adams family will be a family i will forever hold in my heart no matter how long we go bewteen catching up, and no matter how brief our time together was.
Thank you again to Michael Adams, Macey Adams, Paul Adams & Michelle Adams, may you find the peace and justice you deserve.
-Michael Joseph DeHaydu