My life is but a weaving
  Between my God and me;
I may not choose the colors,
  He knows what they should be
For he can view the pattern
  Upon the upper side,
While I can see it only
  On this, the underside.

Sometimes He weaveth sorrow,
  Which seemeth strange to me;
But I will trust his judgement,
  And work on faithfully;
'Tis He who fills the shuttle,
  He knows just what is best;
So I shall weave in earnest
  And leave with Him the rest.

At last, when life has ended,
  With him I shall abide,
Then I may review the pattern
  Upon the upper side;
Then I shall know the reason
  Why pain with joy entwined,
Was woven in the fabric
  Of life that God designed.

Our dreams and plans, will not be, in this, (The Underside). Someday, I know, in my heart, they will all come true upon (The Upperside).
I Love You,
Mom

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud & aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is a perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of Spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be Happy.

Max Ehrmann 1927

A poem Michelle kept at her desk, lived by, and was read at her memorial service by Co-worker Charlene 1/97

 

Letting Go

It's been fourteen years of friendship and love.

When I call you you're not there.

I look to the heavens above,

I pray, I listen,

I know you are unable to speak, but do hear.

You will be with me for eternity,

I'm never letting go.

Lauren DeWalt 2/14/97

 

Jim,

I'm so sorry to hear about Michelle. I want you to know that she is a very special lady! She has a heart of gold and was always willing to share her love with everyone. I feel I am blessed to have had the chance in life to be touched by an Angel.

Michelle's co-worker and Friend Karen 1/97

Dear Jim,

I feel very fortunate to have had the pleasure of knowing & working with Michelle. She was the nicest person who embraced life and loved all around her. She was like a ray of sunshine at the office & I envied her positive attitude.

Co-worker and Friend Debbie 1/97

Dear Jim,

I was deeply saddened to hear of Michelle's death. I wanted to relay a story---When I came to live in RI and work at the SUBASE as HRO's secretary five years ago, Michelle embraced me with her kindness and warmth from the start. She got together a welcoming committee to take me to lunch my first week on the job. It really broke the ice and I will never forget that beautiful lady.

Co-worker and Friend Jennifer 1/97

 

 

Hi Jim:

I want to share with you some of the reasons why I treasured Michelle so....I met Michelle in 1990 when I came to work at SUBASE....she was so very easy to talk with and get to know.....no barriers to break through or worthiness tests to pass before she would be a friend. She possessed many qualities that I did not have, and perhaps that contributed to the reason we became such good friends.  I once overheard our supervisor say that we, Michelle and I, were such opposites. Michelle touched my life in ways she probably never knew and I learned a lot from her.  Michelle thought with her heart and trusted her intuition.  She could cut through the BS and expose the naked truth about situations.  She helped me to solve problems at work, and in my personal life, by cutting to the quick.  Her perception was razor sharp and I found this most intriguing about her. Michelle used to say "live and let live" a lot.  She passed no judgment on how people lived their lives and conducted their business. Michelle never left a birthday go uncelebrated or a down mood go unlifted. She was thoughtful to a fault, at times.  She gave me gifts "just because" more times than I can remember.  She truly cared about the people she worked with and went out of her way to acknowledge people's feelings.  She was the most unselfish person I've ever known.  This is truth.  She organized a wedding shower for me which I will never forget. Michelle had a childlike laughter I can still hear. She had a beautiful, defining sense of style.....from her appearance with her unforgettable renaissance eyes, to the beautiful gifts, so carefully wrapped, she gave to me, to the gorgeous way she kept your home.....Michelle left a beautiful mark on everything she touched.  I did not have an eye for the details until I met Michelle.  I'm trying to, and I thank her.
Jim, I miss her a lot.  She truly was a friend, not just a someone I knew.
Lynne

Michelle's close friend and co-worker LYNNE 1/98