I think it was around the summer of '89 when I first met the amazing Cardona twins. This was at the time of the Shut era. It was the usual small, New Jersey, shop contest with make-shift obstacles. Not much, but a good way to connect with fellow rippers. Some Shut skaters were there killing it, but I was used to that. What I wasn't used to, were these two little kids blowing minds. They were Mike and Quim Cardona, the happiest faces I had ever seen on skateboards. I introduced myself and shared the session with these buzzing skate machines. They both grew into excellent people, touching everyone with their positive force.

On Feb. 17, Quim organized a gathering of family, friends and skaters at Extremes Skatepark in Bridgewater, New Jersey for a day of skating, music and art in memory of Mike, who had tragically passed in February of '98. The attendees included the Zoo team, DJ Ani, Paulo Diaz, Ricky Oyola, Donny Barley, Kris Markovich, Tony Montgomery, Dustin Charlton, Josh Kalis, Fred Gall, Stevie Williams and representatives from nearly every region of the East Coast. Quim did a piece with some friends and said a few words in memory of his brother. The rest of the day was for shredding.

Seeing Quim skate reminded me of when I first met him and his brother. Mike was there in spirit, skating right along with us. The event raised some funds for the Michael Cardona Foundation, and the St. Francis breadline to feed the homeless. It was a celebration of what Mike loved: skateboarding, friends, family, art, music and life. And we loved him. Every day we shred for Mike.