You Smiled :-)

Who will tell your story, as well as you lived it?

Who will smile? Who will laugh? Who will cry hearing it?

You’ve touched countless souls with words of wisdom beyond your age;

You’ve lifted up spirits, hearts of persons beyond your reach, beyond your page.

You have lived a life many aspire to live, when facing death,...

You smiled, brighter than you lived.

In all and everything you touched, you blossomed with dignity, pride and care.

You gave life, you gave hope to others, even in the storm, even in death…you dare,

even when it seemed you - had none left, to spare.

You have lived a life many dream of,

carried a cross many fear of,

and always, in everything you ….you smiled.

To the photographer in me, your smile, is everything!

It’s infectious, natural, unprovoked, unadulterated it’s money!

To the kid in me, it’s endearing, it’s comforting…unabashedly silly!

To the performer in me it is energy, it’s music, a verse…a symphony,

To the man I am, it’s…captivatingly pretty.

Lover of music you were the skilled dancer, the muse, the class act with a smile; You were the star, you didn’t care to be,

who owned the dance floor and the beat.

Genuine supporter of the arts, you enjoyed to give, without expectations, excuses or exceptions; You saw what could be,

not just what is! Unwavering, unconditional, your support was complete.

You saw things others easily miss, You took notice and documented,

you remembered and appreciated!

…Not bad for a clown fish, …Nemo!

I so long for that day, I will not get to see;

That one promise you made, the one you couldn’t keep;

To see you dressed in white, and in that smile so cheap,

capturing the pictures, of your Wedding to be.

I may not have known you enough to say much else about you;

Surely not enough as I would have liked to;

But I know one thing,… and it’s that you smiled.

Like your life depended on it, you smiled,

A beautiful smile…

A smile that uplifts you.

A smile that outlasts you.

A smile that brightens the night sky.

A smile that never says good bye.

And What else do we live for if not for a smile?

On someone’s face you’ve touched,

On someone’s face you’ve loved,

On a child’s face,

On a mother’s, father’s,

Brother’s, sister’s or friend’s.

A smile so cheap…it’s infectious.

A smile so deep, it’s glorious.

Mahlet owned that smile… Mahlet lived that smile and dispensed it, in big dose;

She was the living face, of one beautiful Smiley! …Complete, with a nose! :-)

Till we meet again! :-)

[Mahlet, or Nemo from the movie “Finding Nemo” as she first introduced herself to me some 11 years ago, was a fun loving person who always had nice words to say, always meant what she said and always supported her words with actions. A true philanthropist and humanitarian, she exemplified and lived the phrase “action speaks louder than words” by not only supporting and promoting good causes around her, but by rolling up her sleeves and doing the Work, wherever she could affect change. She will truly be missed!]

• I extend my deepest sympathies to Mahlet’s family. I am honored and blessed to have known Mahlet, she was my nice neighbor, plus a true blessing in the HOA, as our President. We will miss her gentle soul dearly. Please accept my sincere condolences. 💐May our Lord and Savior bless & comfort you all! Thank U.