before i go....one more reveal

This would be the mother of all reveals, if one were keeping score.  I thought I was going to skulk off into the sky, flying back to Minnesota, carrying with me the cloud of grief, but instead I will be carrying this Book of Love, to share with my family.  How does one go about finding and composing the most apt words to convey how you have made me feel?  You obviously know me well enough to know I am utterly moved.  Picture me surrounded with rays of light, casting a pink glow.  Both eyes filled with tears.  One for sorrow, one for joy.

 

I will let the photos do the talking.  Special thanks to Secret Agents JeriAnn, Julie, and Lisa who schemed and plotted and gathered a generous, thoughtful, loving, talented team of participants.  I thank you all for the quiet, gentle embrace.  I feel you.

 

 

 

  

Julie has loaded the pages onto flickr, you can visit HERE.

 

I know, can you imagine?  I'm blown away too. 

I am missing Shannon so much, but look how many art-sisters I have (plus an art-brother, Seth).  A swarm of angels.  I've said it before: You make grief endurable.  With humble gratitude, Michelle.

Comments

[Julie Prichard]

I know you mention how words cannot begin to describe....but on our end, I think words cannot begin to describe how happy we are to have done this for you.

xoxo

[Cousin Kelly]

Wow. This is amazing. You have such terrific and talented friends.

[kim mailhot]

I know you feel us, just like we feel you. Love and connection is IT, right, beautiful Michelle ? And, man, have we got IT !!!!

(I think I will be reading this post and looking at the photos over and over again for the whole week. I am so happy for Michelle and thanks again, from me too, to Julie, JeriAnn and Lisa for grouping us up in the Love Project.)

oxox

[LIsa Hoffman]

What a ride.
You are feeling the love and support of many people, giving in many ways. You inspire us. YOU give, and give and give.
Now, at this tender time, allow us to stand by you, hand you tissues, remember Shannon and remember that all over the World, this Art Community will be gently whispering in your ear:
"We're here. We're still here. We're always here."

[Marylinn Kelly]

And, continuing Lisa's message, now we're also portable. Don't leave home without us. Pink bubblegum smooches and xoxo, M.

[JeriAnn]

So, so happy to have this baby borne safely into your hands Michelle.

Speaking of hands, I would like to call for a giant round of applause for Julie, our stitching genius who (literally!) brought us all together.
*Stands on chair and whistles and claps wildly* It was her artistic brilliance that created the magnificent book.

Have a good trip home. Our love to you and yours.

[Joy Logan]

It was a pleasure to do this for you Michelle! You have inspired us all so many times. You are a art sister to us. HUGS

[Jennifer White]

I've gone through the Flickr pics over and over... this is so amazing...glad we were able to talk today, I'll catch up with you later this week for sure...for all the talent that made this book, bravo..kudos..stunning..amazing...I can feel the energy jumping through my Mac!

xoxox

[Jenny Doh]

Hey Michelle.
From sorrow comes joy, from darkness comes light, from despair comes AMAZING grace. Thanks for letting us be part of it all as we continue to grow this army of love.
Buzz

[Seth]

We are all sending you and your family thoughts, prayers, and spirit. Hope this heavy book lightens your load and reminds you of all those who are supporting you...as you have always supported us!

[dymphie]

it was a joy to be part of this mission. love to you and your family

[Suzi Blu]

Julie did a FABULOUS job binding this beautiful beast. Its huge! Gorgeous gorgeous. xo

[inge]

I can imagine how you feel ! I was in the project ( what a secret for all these months), but when I see this post now , read the words, see the pictures, read this comments, tears are running down on my face now...for sorrow but mostly JOY !!!

I'm going to savour the pages in the book a lot of times on flickr, for their creations but most of all for what this pages mean.. Julie made a beautiful book with all the pages!
Actually .... I'm speachless...:)

hugs from Belgium
Inge

[Kim Palmer]

What an amazing gift. How wonderful that at a time of such personal grief your friends step up to let you know how much they care, and what finer way to pay tribute to the inspiration you give to others! Bravo to all the collaborators and organisers. Beautiful work!

[lyle baxter]

michelle, I know the abundance of pink sox sent you a message! but your book is most wonderful messenger of all. you are never alone and always loved! what more is there! lyle

[hedwig]

Hi Michelle
all credits go to Julie, Lisa and JeriAnn for the idea and work for making it a real book. WOW how beautifull! I am glad to be part of the book (even made my own stencil for it ;-)), HUGS XOXOXO
Hedwig

[karen cole]

What an amazing gift, Michelle. May you enjoy the comfort that your family and this incredible book will bring for many, many years to come.

Big hug coming your way.
Karen

[judy wilkenfeld]

65 pin pricks in my fingers were so worth it for you my friend.

I had a laugh when we spoke on the phone after I had shipped off my page and you asked me if i knew about the 65 Roses campaign. Innocently I said no but little did you know.........

Sending you many hugs and much love.

xox

[Kim H]

I hope this wonderful book brings you some comfort! It was a pleasure to be part of such a wonderful group of fellow artist! HUGS!!!!

[Regina]

What a tremendous hug that must have been when you received the journal!
Sending you my love & hugs.
xo

[Janet]

It was truly a privilege and an honor to participate in this book for you. I hope it brings you some small comfort just knowing that so many others are thinking of you and sending you hugs.

[Marci Glenn]

Wow - what a wonderful gift. You are truly loved and blessed by many. Hugs. Marci

[Jilly]

You, Michelle have 39 AMAZING friends! Not that I needed to tell you that.

Continue to absorb their love and friendship for you.

[Sarah]

wow!!! you are so lucky to have such great friends!

[3rdEyeMuse]

talk about LOVE ... mhmm, that much is soooo much more than evident.

[cindi]

how very cool that so many get you michelle. you are def blessed my friend. and very lucky to have such wonderful caring friends. well you DO rock of course. *grins* ;-)

hugs,

cin <3

[Megan Warren]

what a heartfelt gift - thank you for sharing it with all of us!

[forcryeye]

Wow!~ How profound! these women are incredible!!! Go back to our hometown with love!!!

[Chris]

It was an honor to think and feel so much in working on this. Thanks for opening yourselves to us.

[rivergardenstudio]

This is such a beautiful gift, I am almost crying.... Roxanne

[Stephanie]

The finished book is astounding...as Lisa said you give and give and give and we love you for it.

x..x
steph

[Lee Anne "Nikki"]

It is Beautiful!

[Linda Warlyn]

It was a pleasure and a privilege to be part of something that allowed us to give back to the grand champion of GIVING when she needed it most. Thank you Julie, JeriAnn, and Lisa... it was a beautiful idea and that book absolutely rocks!! Sending love and comfort to you, Michelle and your whole family. PS The peony bushes were planted about a month ago. They are wee babies, but they are thriving like crazy. Each bush is a different shade of pink, a big sister and a little sister. oxox

[kathy McCreedy]

What an honor & privilege to have been a part of this amazing collaboration, done with so much love for one of the coolest chicks I've never met (in person)! You have touched so many people without realizing it, Michelle... you really do give so much of yourself... what a joy to do something to give back, even just a tiny bit! And yes, a huge round of applause to the Secret Agents who put all this together! With lots and lots of love and admiration, XOXO, Kathy

[Carmen Torbus]

It was such a privilege to be a small part of this special book. You send so much love and inspiration into the world, it was a pleasure to send a little back your way.

Much love,

Carmen

[Maj C]

I too am grateful for a chance to return some of the love that you spread, Michelle. May this book ease your steps a little these days! xoxox

[johanna]

i´m happy to see how the collaboration turned out when bound to a journal... dymphie had spread the word to me and i wanted to make something in pink:))
hope the first anniversary of shannon´s going isn´t too hard for you... feel embraced! oxox, johanna

[katelyn ward]

wow this is all incredible.
you are so lucky to have such a great support system. i'm speechless.

enjoy.
katelyn

[eb]

such an honor
to be a page
in this Book of LOVE...
the sun is shining
it has been a perfect day
of quiet joy
savoring
this
and sending you
warm kisses
and
sun shiny hugs

xox - eb.

[Cath]

Michelle it was a privilege. My absolute thanks to JeriAnn, Julie and Lisa for their hard work. And as for that binding - oh my!

[Becci]

:-)

[Kathryn - Collage Diva]

What an honor to be one of the secret agents who could in a very small way lift your heart just as you have lifted my heart and the hearts of so many. What a loving and magnificent tribe we have.

{soul hugs}
Kathryn

[Lay Hoon]

Huh !!! What an amazing gift !

[sue pieper]

What an amazing gift, not only the book but the fact that so many think so highly of you, as they should! You're an incredible woman with some equally incredible friends to have done this for you. Wish I'd been in on this, but the important thing is that it happened, you'll treasure that book forever!

[grrl+dog]

Michelle, it is a book of love, and I can feel the vibes from here....

It was an honour to be part...

love,
Denise

[Laurel]

Aw, now my mascara is running. What a wonderful and beautiful present to receive.

[Janine]

What a truly wonderful book.... great work girls!

[carmen nessman]

this is super di duper Michelle!
right now i am about to click the flickr group to enjoy some more

[carmen nessman]

bu-buh!!! (for crying)
I can't see it,
it is private
that's okay
i will zoom here