Michelle's last day of class at RMC in 2001.
It's one of those Michelle smiles the kind I've come to think of as "The Classic." You know the one- like someone turned on this light this beautiful, bright, warm light until even these antiseptic classroom walls circa 1999 begin to glow along with your heart and The Force is with you the rest of the day whatever comes down the pipe.
She's smiling this time along with side-kick Sarah cuz the class-clown aka the prof aka me has been goofing around this last day of term loosening folks up for the group photo I'm about to snap before everyone disappears into spring & summer & the rest of their lives. I can't go with them but I can take them with me a little ways.
I am taking you with me now, Michelle, looking at that smile that still makes everything glow even a sad heart still mourning for others who have gone before. I am seeing you now for the first time through tears but not I fear for the last.
This heart embraces you takes you home invites you to stay as long as you wish. You will be safe here I promise. Love is the only place left where we can meet.
Despite this grief this ache I feel that smile again radiant glowing away halfway to a grin turning even this dark hour that much brighter working your warm magic.
You haven't lost your touch and against all odds this feeling tells me you want us to know we haven't lost you- Essence continues
You remain where you've always been where you'll stay- deep, deep inside a luminous gift, a constant blessing.
Michael Hurley RMC/CMR April 24, 2009