Aug 20 2008
In Memory
My wife never got a chance to say goodbye to a dear friend she lost 10 years ago today. They had reunited after a few years of estrangement and were very close, and we had some great times with her and her husband.
Then we received a phone call at about 3 a.m. telling us they had been in a severe motorcycle accident, and that Mischelle had not survived. We had waved to them as they rode away from Shannon’s cousin’s house on that ride. Shannon sobbed uncontrollably in my arms.
Mischelle’s husband, Jeff, did not remember telling emergency workers to save her first, and he spent months in the hospital fighting for his life. He re-married eventually and his wife is very understanding when we reminisce about Mischelle.
During Shannon’s 10-year high school reunion weekend a tree was planted and a plaque mounted in memory of Mischelle and others lost since graduation, including a choir teacher who was like a second mother.
Losing such a close friend was one of the hardest things my wife has endured, but she is glad they had a little more time together.
The website Shannon and I created is dated, but still serves as a tribute to this young woman. The “Mischelle and Me” section of the Pictures page is Mischelle and Shannon.
Death has been on my mind far too much recently, with the passing of Isaac Hayes, whom I had met at his home in mid-July, and just this weekend one of my favorite high school teachers. I had attempted to contact him about a month ago, and now I feel sad for wondering why he didn’t reply.
Cherish anybody who is close to you, and try to contact those with whom you’ve lost touch. We’re fragile and there are no guarantees.
I enjoyed the trip down memory lane!! Mischelle was a very special person and I will always be greatful she was a big part of our lives - well, maybe except the time she decided not to spend the night at 3 a.m.. had a flat and I had to go get her. There were few, if any, dull moments - tons of laughter, some tears, boy friend problems, and a lot of pleasure watching the two best friends grow and mature.
Interesting that I should pop in here today after so long and read this post after watching P.S. I Love You last night and have been thinking about death ever since. It’s really amazing that one minute you are taking everything for granted, wallowing in self pity because you can’t afford to buy that big screen TV and take the family on a nice vacation in the same summer and wahwahwah and the next moment, you are thinking about how RICH you really are with love and family. Sorry for your and Michelle’s loss. Hug each other extra tight today!
That was a beautiful memorial, and some nicely selected photos to commemorate a dear friend. Cherishing those close to us is one of the best things we can do.
I love you guys!
Loss is always difficult…even 10 years later it is often tough to get the concept of “never” through the brain. My Dad will have been gone for 11 years this October and it amazes me how often an event in my life will prompt “oh, I need to tell Dad about this.” But, there are lots of happy memories of Shan and Mischelle in those pictures and it seems like your focus is in the right direction.
Between my whirlwind move and now wanting to cherish my friends, I’m wishing you guys were closer so we could share a scotch (well…maybe a dobblebock for you, Mark).
I’ll give Norah and Moonshot an extra hug when I get home today.
I’m so sorry for your loss Shannon… I’ve had many of them in my life as well, and they’re hard to deal with every day.
Today is my late Dad’s birthday.. 2 days after mine, and I think of him constantly.
Thanks to all for the thoughtful comments, and welcome to those who have been gone a while. Infrequency is better than none.
I deal with loss and grief every single day and I never get used to helping people through it. It’s such a tough, emotional, personal thing to experience, and I’m always a little in awe of people who can let me in to help. It’s never easy.
I am so sorry of the loss you both sustained. I was on the website for awhile and enjoyed seeing the photos and reading. I can almost hear the laughter between the two of them in the pictures which I think is so great! What a wonderful window into a life gone too soon.
My thoughts are with you both…
Thanks for your touching comments, everyone. It means a lot to me to be able to read your kind words.
Mark, I’ve been knocked on my butt over and over in the past couple of months, hearing the news of person after person after person (that I know or care about) dying. It’s really starting to alarm me…