2 years

It's been 2 years now, and although I was unable to attend the memorial this past weekend Michelle is still very much in my heart. So Michelle, I'm thinking about you and praying that there will be some justice (and peace) soon.
Statia

Stories about the memorial:
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/crime_safety/michelle_young/story/1279649.html
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3875169/

Ladybug Liftoff

I was unable to attend this event, but from the looks of it there were a lot of people there to celebrate Michelle!

To see photos of the event, please visit the Friction Powered Blog:
http://frictionpowered.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/ladybug-liftoff/

There is also a slideshow of images on NC Wanted:
http://www.ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/image_gallery/2877779/?idx=1

Memories/Letter from Abby

One of my favorite memories of Michelle is during high school when we performed in the Lipsync together. The whole group would practice our dance routine in Michelle’s basement. Most of the girls were cheerleaders, the others at least had coordination; I could barely move to the beat. Never frustrated with my lack of skill (which I can only imagine must have been pretty hard for someone with Michelle’s talent) she worked with me until I was good enough to bring on stage. I think those “extra practices” were held on my behalf.

Words cannot express the sadness that I feel for Michelle’s family and friends that have to go on without her. I have faith that there will be some justice for Michelle, Cassidy & the baby boy that she will always be one with, and all of those who love her and continue to grieve for her.

Michelle, though we have not been close friends for several years, only seeing each other on holidays and communicating through email (I loved receiving updated photos of Cassidy), you are now always in my thoughts and I dream about you often. In my dreams you are as I always remember you, smiling and happy. You and your family will be forever in my heart and prayers.
Love, Abby

Happy Birthday Michelle

A Letter from Barbara

Dear Michelle -

Although we lost touch since high school, I will never forget the good times I shared with you. Cheerleading was like a second family to me, and I was proud and glad to stand next to you almost every day. It was no secret that we had our differences, but I think that we had more laughs than anything else (including being Beavis & Butthead in the Cheerleading Camp skit!). You were taken away too early and it's so obvious what a positive influence you had on everyone in your life. I'm glad I was able to share happy times with you and remember you for the funny, caring person you were.
Love your '95 Co-Captain (and friend),
Barbara

A Letter from Progress Energy

November 3, 2007

Dear Michelle,

It has been one year since you were so tragically taken from us and we still think of you every day. Some of us look at your picture every morning and see your beautiful smile. Some of us think of you each morning when we pour our coffee and remember the hazelnut scent of the coffee that you so frequently brewed. Some of us think of you when we look into our children’s eyes and remember how much you loved Cassidy and how much you loved being a mother. Some of us think of you when we find a good sale on bottled water because we know how you loved a bargain. Whatever the trigger, we think of you every day because you had a profound effect on our lives and we miss you.

One of your friends used this verse to describe the way you lived your life. “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.” You lived every day to its fullest, not wanting to miss anything life had to offer or to settle for less. Some people believe that you have to choose between a career or a family but not you. You were determined to have both. Some people, after having a child, lose touch with friends and even extended family members because they are so busy, but not you. You were the organizer. You never settled for, “let’s get together” but rather you pulled out your calendar and found a date to make sure it happened.

Even with your co-workers, you never let a “life event” pass by without ensuring that it was properly recognized and celebrated. While it would have been more than enough for you to run by the grocery store and pick up something off the shelf that was not good enough for you. You always went further by ordering the persons favorite cake, with their favorite frosting, and even decorated in their favorite color. There was always the added “Michelle” touch.

Whenever one of your co-workers was having a difficult time, you always seemed to know the right thing to do. And then, of course, you organized the effort to help them.

Michelle, because you always made time for others even when your life was full and hectic, you made us want to be better people, to be more caring and giving like you were. We’ve said this before but we were very blessed to have known you. We love you and miss you.

From your friends at Progress Energy

A Letter from Heather

Dear Michelle,
This picture brings a huge smile to my face! You seemed to make it your personal duty to ensure that people felt welcomed and had fun in your presence. We would go to NY for family reunions and you would make sure to take us out for good pizza, Italian ice, and a view of the Atlantic. You would visit us in Richmond and make plans for us while you were there…we were always active with you Michelle…you brought the life out in people.

Rich and I decided to move to Charlotte, NC after having lived in Richmond for 10+ years. You told us that you had friends in the area and would make plans so that we could all get together and meet people. Now, a lot of people say things like this…but time goes by, people get busy, and it never happens. Not so with you, Michelle. Two weeks after Rich and I moved, you called and again…made plans to make us feel welcome in our new town.

This day we went with you and your friends out on the lake. We were having a lot of fun and everybody was trying to wakeboard. It was really amusing because everyone was having a difficult time staying up for more than 3 seconds. Everyone had given it a go except for you and me. Someone said, “Who’s next?” I emphatically replied, “NOT ME”…you, however, said in your nonchalant way, “I’ll go”…and you went. You rode that wakeboard like you had been doing it your entire life. So effortlessly, you hit bumps in the water…no problem…several minutes went by…we started doing circles trying to throw you…no problem…more time went by. You were just chillin’ out there in the water…on a wakeboard…riding the waves. I am convinced that you merely stopped because you were getting tired…not because it got too hard for you. Michelle, you could do anything!

You went into motherhood just as naturally as you did riding the waves. You were a first time mom, but it seemed like you had been a mother forever. I found you to be so calm, peaceful, and patient when it came to mothering Cassidy. I often think of you as I mother my son now, there is so much that can be learned from the memories of your being.

You left quite an impression on so many to have lived a brief 29 years. I know I am not alone in saying that you enter my life on a daily basis. Although the pain of your loss has been immeasurable, the gift of having known you holds a value that cannot be underestimated. You will live forever through your daughter’s eyes, in the sighting of ladybugs, whenever a beautiful woman is spotted, whenever I hear the name “Michelle”, when the wind blows on a beautiful day…and… in countless hearts.

Thank you for your time with us on earth…
I love you,
Heather