Thursday, July 29, 2021
MC asked me to write a eulogy for her service about 6 months ago. She didn't tell me she changed her mind about having a service! I am so glad as I needed to speak this truth to help process the pain.
Thank you again for all, MC you continue to inspire.
How come this had to happen to MC? As I "stand" before you today I understand this is the elephant in the room. This is the most obvious question, Lord knows I've asked this countless times. Why did MC have to die so young? And why did MC have to live with such a long and painful illness?!
Over the past few years, I have had the privilege and great pleasure to meet many of MC's family. When MC asked me to write a "short eulogy", I agreed. If I speak specifically about each family member I will not be meeting the mark of keeping it short. There is too much good, great and wonderful to say about each. MC loved her family and they loved her with, all.
MC and I met over 20 years ago through mutual friends and we became fast friends. MC was well-read, had a great handshake, a quick beautiful smile, and was one of the most active people I knew. MC would cook for me on several occasions. I never told her this but it was common for me to scarf down McDonald's just before coming for dinner. The meals she would cook we're so healthy and with such sharp attention paid to portion size, that I simply could not manage such clean living discipline.
As much as I love to reminisce about the past, the content of the past leads me to question the same. MC was so healthy, she did everything right, why did this happen to her?
What I loved the very most about my relationship with MC was the quality of conversations we had. Every conversation we had was filled with mutual respect, honesty and candour (minus the McDonald's incidents.) I remember asking MC this year, if she thought it was reasonable to mow her lawn 12 times in one month, as she was known to do. She considered the question with pause and contemplation, then replied, "yes I think it's reasonable." To which I stated "okay".
I also remember asking MC how come she continued to travel to Saint John for medical treatment as opposed to simply stay Fredericton where she lived. It would be easier I told her. MC explained that her driving from Fredericton to Saint John every week was a pleasant thing. She marveled at beautiful scenery during the drive and of the kindness of her nurses. This type of gratitude towards life in general MC carried with her, was not only awe inspiring, but life changing for me.
And off to the next topic we would go, whether it be books, relationships, gurus, spirituality, struggles, rewards; we talked about it all.
One of our most meaningful conversations happened on the day MC died. We had a few precious minutes alone; we held hands while staring at each other then we prayed together.
After the prayer, I saw MC's face change from serious and focussed, to joyful, childlike and full of wonder. What a privilege and great honour MC to share with you in your last moments on this earth.
MC knew and understood I believe we are spiritual beings having a human experience. When the physical human experience is no more, we continue beyond our physical form into a realm that is as mysterious as it is wonderous.
As I sat outside penning this eulogy on the 27th day of July, a gentle yet distinct question floated through the air as I experienced a gentle breeze. "Consider the question from a different angle" I heard. This was significant to me as MC spoke a lot about angles. Whether it was the angles involved with tutoring the children in her neighbourhood about math, about the angle of the deck she tutored me on how to build or, an angle in the sense of perspective. From her example, I will shift then from, how come this happened to MC, to the deeper, more profound and important question of, what did MC teach us while she was here on Earth?
For every person of course the answer will be different. I can tell you what she taught me. MC taught me the poetry of a loyalty, determination and grit. She also taught me, by being a living example, the ultimate lesson of, do unto others as you would like done to yourself. Whether it was a friend, neighbour, family member, community member, it did not matter. MC truly gave her best to each situation and person that presented themselves to her. She treated everyone in her life the way she would want to be treated.
I am blessed and enriched for having known MC, has we all are. To the beautiful family of MC Gallien, your losses are profound, your hearts are broken and they still continue to beat. MC will continue to live amongst us each time we do our best even when it's really difficult. I hope you rest with the knowledge this battle is over, MC is at peace and it's time for you to rest. She wants you to rest.
MC you paved the way for all of us towards living with greater peace, dignity, courage and love.
Thank you for the opportunity for calling you friend. I love you.
