A baby girl with the middle name of Michelle was born. As we shared the same grade school classrooms, I remember Michelle’s curls and softer than a whisper voice. I was so amazed teachers could hear her answers. But then she was the smartest girl in class. So maybe in envy, I blocked her out. :)
In grade school, Michelle's birthday was the first of three in February. Another girl was born on Lincoln’s birthday, and another on the 16th. My classmates, who read this, will shake their heads I recall such things. Maybe the sugar buzz from all those cupcakes keeps those memories fresh.
Through junior high (it was junior high to us, not middle school), folks started to grow up and learn about themselves. Sometimes you grow together or grow apart. The best part: you could grow back together again. That’s what happened with Michelle and I both shared a class a particular class upon our entry to high school: French.
Her French name was her middle name, except pronounced, “MEE-chelle.” As we fractured the language, there would be some words that made it into our everyday vocabulary. All us French students enjoyed the toss of words or phrases to each other in the hallway, because we loved the bewildered looks on non-French students’ faces. C’est vrai! Bon Chance! S’il te plait! Je suis faituge! Au revoir!
Tiens! Tiens! Tiens! Became the words Michelle and I said each time on contact. Always tuttered three times and usually with smiles. In, I believe, our junior year, Michelle and her family moved back to town. This was after being gone about a year, due to her dad’s job. When we spotted each other for the first time on her first day back at school: Tiens! Tiens! Tiens!
From then and on to high graduation, high school reunions, my autograph of my book to her, and to then the letters (not e-mails, but REAL letters with stamps!) where Michelle basked in the love for her son and not so dwelled on her battle with cancer, the opening was always the same: Tiens! Tiens! Tiens!
By our 25th high school reunion in 2001, the girl with the curls and whisper of a voice was gone.
It's a comfort to know the angels can hear Michelle just fine.
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