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| Photo Courtesy- Victoria Thompson |
The awful but real truth began to break, on Friday afternoon 5 August 2002. A vibrant, enthusiastic, and funny; daughter, sister, mother, and friend had died. There was no warning, and no time to prepare. Her very close group of friends somehow managed to find a way through their grief and shock and begin to support each other. What they all clearly do best.
Michelle had a very upbeat attitude and liked to live her life on a happy and upbeat note. Who knew someone so happy and positive would leave so much sorrow and yearning behind them. I have known Michelle since she was at secondary school with a close friend and previous neighbour Vicky Thompson. Although I saw Michelle less frequently over the years, I was always that much more uplifted when we would say goodbye. I was so overwhelmed when I found myself having to say goodbye for a final time.
Something else, which has resonated with me, is the strength of the relationship Michelle had with ‘the girls’ her close group of friends. The way they really do pull together is not uncommon, but the enthusiasm and genuine love they have for each other is. I have never in my life seen a closer friendship group than this. They have something so precious and have taken the time to nurture it. In celebration and sadness, their strong true friendship shines through. Sisterhood is the better word for it.
Michelle's only daughter has a group of surrogate mothers to help with the very unpredictable road that is life. They are there to catch her if she falls, and celebrate her successes. She is lucky and blessed to have them all, just as they were lucky and blessed to have Michelle. When we spoke about her, we would say our Michelle, but it is plain for all to see, she was their Michelle and will always be.
I dedicate this blog to all the vibrant, brave, working-class Londoners who showed true courage and love for each other in World Wars 1-2. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
