"Michel"                                                                                    photo by Chris S.

IN MEMORY OF MICHEL SEMET

September 15, 2007

I only just found out that Michel has died. It was three in the morning of this very day.  My throat clenched and my tears spilled immediately. Then I threw up repeatedly.  I had just spent five hours on the Internet doing online searches and had come at last to him to read some of his online publications.  The last entry I found for him was a singular post in a scientific forum announcing: "It is with deep sadness that we inform you that  Michel S.  passed away at the age of 66, after a long illness, in Sauvenière, Belgium on Wednesday August 29 2007."  The post went on to speak about his education, his research, and that he was survived by his wife and two children. ( No mention was made of his grandchildren. I believe he now has two. )

This announcement  seemed like such a sparse summery for such a great man. So I humbly extend it here, knowing in advance that I cannot really hope to express the actual depth and true spirit of this gentle being: 

Michel Semet was one of the greatest human beings I have ever met. He was intelligent, subtle, and kind with a very dry sense of humor.  He was compassionate, curious, contemplative, and careful with his words. He knew how to say a lot distilled into just a little.  I never heard him raise his voice or get angry at anyone.  He was  one of those people who could just sit there observing silently, yet comprehensively.  His eyes always seemed to hold a sparkle of laughter. 

I had known Michel since I was eight or nine.  He was iconic to my childhood in that he seemed to represent a state of sublimity that was well worthy of imitation. The impression that he made on me was so profound that his way of being has remained an inspiration to me through out  my life. To be like him and to find others like him has been one of the larger motivations in my life, one that has proven to be much harder than I had originally thought it would be.  I must admit that I have come no where close to his example nor have I ever met anyone else as kind and as soft-spoken as articulate Michel. The world now seems like a colder place without him living on the planet. But I do believe in the persistence of spirit, so I believe he still exists, if not actually then,  in the hearts of all those others with whom he has come in contact and impressed with his manner.  My husband met him only once,  at a dinner at his home outside Paris, but walked away from that meeting with the knowledge that he had met a substantially different human being - someone unique and very evolved.  Michel did not say good bye that night but instead said to us upon our parting,  "Do that which is meaningful for yourself and others."  I suppose now I will think of that as Michel's epithet, even though no words can approximate him or summarize him. 

I remember  that he used to play the flute, to take little breaks from mowing the lawn to smoke his pipe and that he used to make coffee for his lovely wife, every morning.  He was as handsome as he was charming.

A million tender blessings of love and light to you dear Michel, may your character meme become the norm and the world at last be at peace.  I  will seek to do good deeds in your honor and to never ever forget you.

While I am deeply moved by sorrow at your passing, I do rejoice that you existed.

I send you my eternal love and respect and my sincerest condolences to your family, 

Victoria