I sat in church remembering my friend
Mike Yasick. I thought about the thousands of people searching for one last conversation with him, for a moment with him, for a chance to say goodbye. Thousands of people because Mike was that kind of guy. He brought sun into a room. He demonstrated, repeatedly, why it is far more rewarding, in this life, to be a force of good. Negativity is all sharp edges. Unprovoked cruelty solves no problems. Unkindness is unkarma. Why throw spears when there's a bowl of chocolate near? Why not slice the thorns off roses? Why not laugh? Why not make somebody happy?
Are you superb? As I sat there thinking about Mike, Miyuki Hoshimoto, a gorgeous soprano, sang "Agnus Dei." I watched her, but mostly I watched the other members of the choir, their faces tilted at angles, their heads rising and lowering with the notes. That, I thought, is what unburdened generosity looks like. It is the shape of appreciation, when envy will not float. There was the beauty of the song; there was the beauty of those who listened.
It was a necessary appeasement on a day when so many mourn the loss of a significant good.
Tell me you don't need a suit like this one—all quilted up and caped. Don't need this mask, the set of this jaw, these fleet and fine rubber-toed shoes.
I know that I do. I seek strength beyond myself, strength being a word that I, just now, associate with calm.
The good things of this day: I survived the 5:45 AM Body Pump. I saw my friends at Shire. Someone told me a story. I talked to my dear niece, Miranda, on her very special birthday. And a nice guy at the front desk of a seaside hotel told me the answer to a question I had about Cape May just ahead of the 1878 fire.
The weather was perfect, but there was no time to play.
The blue fish lemoned up just right.
It's dark now. Another chance at sleep.
Beautiful Beth. Why not be kind, indeed?
Blessings on your bittersweet Sunday my dear friend.
So beautifully said. And you have reminded me of one of my most favorite book memories, Paloma listening to the choir in The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I'm very sorry about your friend.
Oh Beth I've asked this question so many times. But if anyone I know exudes that kindness it would be you. You've been a beautiful example of this to me and I've always appreciated it.
Sending you my love and lots of hugs during your time of loss. xoxo
I am so sorry for your heavy heart.
And, Beth, you exude kindness everywhere you go.
Thank you, Beth, for bringing us in to share your, and the world's, loss.
Misty for you, for all, for what some people are and others are not....
To those of us who worked alongside this force of nature…I say we were truly blessed.
Hugs,
Barbara Porreca-Knecht
To those of us who worked alongside this force of nature…I say we were truly blessed.
Hugs,
Barbara Porreca-Knecht