"Michele"
One year ago, my girls were crooning Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" for the 157th time that day. We were in the family room and I had just sat down to open up my laptop. What I saw took my breath away. My kids noticed my audible gasp and gathered around to see what I was staring at. I quickly closed my computer, to block thier view, and sat stunned at what I had just learned. The tears in my eyes and disbelief on my face had them worried. I finally found the words to explain to them my sudden and solemn silence. An old friend had been tragically taken from this world and her name was Michele. In the passing days, as they questioned the details, I found ways to answer them as gently as I could.
Michele's name has been spoken often by them, mostly out of the blue. They ask about her family, about who she left behind. And when they ask to see her picture, I show them. As heartbreaking and surreal as it all is, showing them her picture always makes me smile. Michele, you see, had one of THE biggest and brightest smiles I have ever known. It is probably what I will always remember most about her, her smile.
In her memory, friends and family have been asked to plant flowers for her today. I'd heard that daisies were her favorite and so that was my plan....but, with our weather, I was worried if they would survive. In the passing week, and in the upcoming anniversary of her death, my mind has been filled with thoughts of Michele, of her giant, bright smile, of the sorrow left behind, and the worry of cold frost on daisies.
And, in the passing week, my girl, Gracie, has been tenderly caring for a tiny pot in the kitchen window. She has been watering it every day while perched up on the edge of the kitchen sink like a little monkey. Life has been busy with the kids having been home for Spring Break and, in the craziness of it all, seeing my monkey girl balancing several times a day for a peek, 4 feet above a hard tile floor, began to wear on my nerves and I finally snapped, "Graciela Emma! Quit climbing on the counter!! If you need something, use a chair!"
Gracie turned to me and said, "Mommy! Look!" She hopped down from her perch with the tiny pot in her hand and again said, "LOOK!!! It's growing!!!"
Knowing how nurturing she had been, I couldn't help but change my tone into one of immediate excitement. "Let me see!" I said. Sure enough, 3 little sprouts had emerged. It suddenly dawned on me that, all the while she had been tending to her little garden, I had been more concerned with "how" she was climbing on the counter instead of "why". I had never thought to ask her what she had planted. "What are they?" I asked.
With a giant, bright smile, she answered, "Daisies!"
(Gracie's hands, daisies for Michele)
When I read your words a hymn we sang when I was at Primary school came to mind '
Daisies are our silver, Buttercups our gold:'
The next bit goes on to say....
'This is all the treasure We can have or hold.'