Today is a hard day. Our PeopleResults team will attend the memorial service for our friend and team member, Michelle Milam Davis. Michelle was a bright, beautiful wife and the mother of two young children she loved so much. She died of cancer a little over a week ago.
Michelle was grateful for “normal” days when she felt good, when she was able to talk with special friends and when she could play with her two beautiful children.
I was thinking of Michelle yesterday at church. Our pastor told a story of two goldfish that I am sure Michelle fully understands.
“There were two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way. He nods at them and says,’Morning, boys. How’s the water?’ The two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and asks, ‘What the heck is water?'”
This goldfish parable came from a commencement speech originally given at Kenyon College in 2005 by David Foster Wallace. Foster also shared that these new graduates will hear much about following their dreams, but there will also be days, weeks and months of routine, repetition and even boredom.
When one day is much like the next the blessings, gifts and even miracles can become hidden or forgotten in those “normal” days.
Michelle understood and treasured what we would probably call a “normal day.” Her life mattered. She valued the “water.”
When we wonder why this beautiful friend is gone so soon, I hope we use her memory to remind us to treasure ‘the water’ every day of our lives.
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”… The Little Prince
You can honor Michelle Milam Davis by contributing to Operation Kindness. This was her favorite charity. She loved her dogs and animals.
