la chapelle

my sisters' music teacher and mentor passed away at 59. it is a little strange seeing them go through pain at her loss; i couldn't really feel their pain, only concern. usually family members share personal attachments but i guess i've been absent for the last five years and i missed those developments. i do remember though, on the few occasions i met this woman while vacationing at home in the last couple years she was incredibly sharp. witty and mischievous even. that makes her passing a little less easy to accept i suppose.

one random memory... i remember her *not disapproving* of me being *improper*... for instance, if i was commissioned to go pick her and my sister up after a music lesson and i was wearing my staple hot weather "wife-beater" or something like that, i might get berated by the family (marc put a shirt on!) but she wouldn't give a shit. she'd been a mentor to kids her whole life and she knew college boy had already handled his business, wife-beater on my back or not, which meant he got a break from shit-taking and the folks' victorian hang ups.

my impression of her is that she LIVED in her 59 years more than most people living to 79 years. been around the world, found her passion in music and mentoring. most people just do what they end up doing. she seemed to be her own flow.

respect due, miss la chapelle.