As the clock ticks closer to midnight and a new day, I am left reflecting on loss. And I know I am not the only one doing that. Tonight, a handful of friends and colleagues are doing the same. For a few of us September 28th is a day that will forever be engraved in our minds. Despite the 4 years that we have seen passed, this is a wound that will never heal. This day only amplifies the pain and reminds us of what was lost. We are also reminded that life is precious and that we should value each breath. We, collectively, try to pass on the same message and influence the world in the way that it was done before the tragic loss 4 short years ago.
Grief is a twisted emotion. It is the physical equivalent to being run through with a sword. It is subjective to each one who feels it. Some contain the feelings and move through its stages with the appearance (however often not the reality of) ease. Others must share the pain in order to recover from the turmoil within. Neither reaction is wrong and both are completely natural. No matter what our coping entails what truly defines our perseverance is how we rise from the ashes like the Phoenix. It's how we use our grief to change the world around us for the positive. It is how we never forget our fallen.
I never use the name of a "real life" person that I refer to within the hallowed walls of this blog. I choose to do so based on privacy and respect for those I work with or spend time with. My one exception has been and will always be Michele. Her name deserves its place in the history that is our lives. We will always spend September 28th remembering the loss and deal with our grief. However we who use the other 364 days to celebrate her life, her message and do our best to continue to positively change the world as we know it. She will always live on in our memories and our hearts. Her story will continue to be written just now with a different pen and on many different pieces of paper. The memory of her laugh, smile and passion will remain forever. Her legacy will live on.
So tonight I emplore you to do a few simple things...
Live and love like today is your last...
Do not wait for the world to change you, you have the power to change everything you set you mind to. Change can be contagious.
Do not let fear get in the way of your happiness
And always smile, you never know who is watching
Michele, wherever you are, we love you and miss you. Shake that little bum bum for us...
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
