Michael was very gracious during one of my few encounters with him. I was asked to attend a DOM introductory workshop presented by Lauren Wood. The attendees were to open up their laptops and follow through a few coding exercises and I was to walk among them in case they needed a bit of help.

I was barely qualified for the task, intimidated by the number of markup luminaries peering at their screens and afraid that someone would ask me a question. I adopted an air of helpful readiness that worked for 30 minutes. With only four minutes left in the session I remained undetected.

Then Michael raised his hand. “Please, not Michael …”

We stepped through his code and I was more baffled that he was. I asked, “So, on line 21, what are you expecting to return?” — as if I knew the answer.

“Hmmm. Yesss,” said Michael. “I see what you mean … genius … that’s right. That’s it! Thank you!”

“Michael,” I said, “I asked you the question because I had no idea.”

He laughed. “Well every genius needs a little luck.”

I was so often a step or two behind during those years and it usually showed, but those were some of the best years of my life. The XML community had more whit, intellect and fun than any I encountered before or since. I’m sorry to see him go.