Live Free Like Michelle

09/02/2026

On August 31, 2026 Wendell Berry passed away. Wendell Erdman Berry was an American novelist, poet, essayist, environmental activist, cultural critic, and farmer. You might ask how he is connected to Michelle.

In 2021, the year Michelle was to graduate from Highlands High School, Jacob Young, the choir director and the Highlands Choirs commissioned Mr. Berry to write a song for Michelle and it was put to music by Elizabeth Alexander.

It is one of the many special things that we hold close in our hearts to remember what was done for us when Michelle died.

Perhaps you'd like to listen to Wendell Berry's words in honor of Michelle.

Like a Leaf(SATB choir and piano)Words by Wendell BerryMusic by...

09/01/2026

"... to keep the memory of Michelle Chalk alive in the community that she lived and loved."

In his book, Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives, neuroscientist David Eagleman suggests that a person’s existence comes to an end not all at once, but in three distinct stages: The First Death: W…

08/12/2026

I know people love to post pictures of downed trees but it sure is a trigger event for this mama. I'm not saying what you can and cannot post because of me, but please just be thankful that no one was killed.

08/01/2026

Thinking about Michelle ...

Nine years. Zero months It is a milestone that carries a profound, quiet weight, arriving exactly as the calendar turns to August. As we navigate this space in time, a single phrase has taken root …

07/01/2026

Thinking of Michelle ...

Loss has a way of gathering in the quiet corners of our lives, waiting for the moments when the world demands we look back. Recently, our home has been filled with the heavy, reflective silence tha…

06/16/2026

24 photos for 24 years. 💛

Visit the post for more.

06/14/2026

2 photos that popped up on my facebook timehop that I just had to share....love her and miss her every day.

06/01/2026

Reflections on Michelle and her legacy

This is a special time of the year for us. On May 7th we announced 9 members of the Highlands High School 2026 graduating class to receive Michelle’s scholarship. Special because it is one of…

05/08/2026

https://michellechalkscholarshipfund.org/2026-mcsf-recipients

Last night our family had the honor of awarding Michelle's Scholarships to 9 deserving seniors at Highlands. It is the donations of many and our hard-working Screening Committee that we are able to do this. Michelle's light is shining bright! Thank you to all who help us keep Michelle's memory alive!
💛🎀

05/01/2026

https://mygirlmichelle.wordpress.com/2026/05/01/8y9m/

I am sitting in a doctor’s office and responding to a litany of questions from the nurse in preparation for a visit with the doctor. If you know, you know. It is often a streak of “no” responses ab…