Monday, July 25, 2011

For Charisse

I am writing this post through tears.  I just learned that the world has lost an incredible young woman whom I had the privilege of working with during my tenure at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  Charisse Cecil was the intern I hired all those years ago, and it was her passion for African American culture that really spoke to me.  It was her work ethic that impressed me even more.  She had the ability to synthesize the multiplicity of ideas running through my mind, and create a cohesive product that hit all the right points. 

I was happy to see her join the staff of the National Trust, as a full time employee, and to see her interest in historic preservation, particularly the preservation of African American historic places, grow.  We often talked about the links among, history, literature, music and preservation, and how more black folks needed that exposure to see the rich tapestry of our past.  In Charisse, I found a kindred spirit, and a good friend.  I wanted to see her reach the height of her potential.  And I just knew that future generations would one day sit in the classroom of the future Dr. Cecil to learn about African American literature and culture.

It hurts to know that that will not happen now.  It hurts to know that I will not be able to catch up with her, when I visit Washington again.  It hurts to know that I will never get to know her better.  And for all of the hurt that I feel, I cannot imagine what this loss is doing to her family and her closest friends, people that she spoke of so warmly, and with whom she had so much pride.

If only we had more people in this world as open, honest, giving and forthright as Charisse.  All of us who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing her will miss that remarkable smile, a smile that could brighten one's spirit the moment she flashed it. 

Charisse, you will be missed, but never forgotten.  May you rest in peace.

14 comments:

The $3000 Dress said...

i worked with her and echo your sentiments.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about this, Free.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful and accurate description of Charisse. As family, the only word I can use to describe her is "Extraordinary", in every sense of the word. She has left an indelible path and footprint in this life. RIP my dear niece, your essence and energy will always remain.

Anonymous said...

How's it going, My name is Darnell Williams, Charisse's little brother. My family and I really enjoyed reading what you had to say about my sister and we were wondering if we could use it in her program? Please email me Djrodwill11@aol.com even if the answer is no. No matter what your response we really appreciated your words and want to say thank you.

Debby said...

I also worked with Charisse years ago at DMV. She was a wonderful and caring girl. I have thought of her many times. I am sure she left her loving mark on this world. She will be remembered always.
Debby Winnie (VanReuth)

Anonymous said...

http://www.funeralfinder.com/obituaries/Cecil-Charisse/07-25-2011/

Zara said...

This was beautifully written and brought me to tears as well. I met Charisse while working as a receptionist at a Honda dealership in 1997 and instantly formed a lifelong bond. We continued to work together at the DMV and our bond grew deeper and deeper. She was wise beyond her years and she helped me get through some of the toughest times of my life. I've moved around over the years yet she made the effort to always stay in touch. I thought she'd always be there and haven't come to terms with the idea that she won't. The world has lost an amazing person but heaven has gained an amazing angel. <3

Dr. Mobley said...

Learning about Charisee's passage out of this life into the next broke my heart! Indeed, my heart is broken to learn that she is not in the world at this moment. Losing her voice, spirit, and beautiful intelligence strikes me to the core because I just thought of her this past weekend when I went to play the CD from the Mount Calvary Baptist Church Mass Choir that she gave me as a gift. She knew my favorite song was "It Was You." I played it this morning just to feel close to her again. She used to laugh to hear me say I would loop it to hear it over and over again. Like the song she and I knew that when we looked back over our lives, it was the hand of God that made our way smooth, even when the going got rough.

Charisse was first my student at George Mason University and what a brilliant student she was. I used to tell her she could not major in "Mobley" at Mason, but I would be delighted every time she signed up for another literature class with me. She had a way with words and a beautiful mind and spirit that transformed class discussions into dynamic dialogues full of deep, critical thinking about life, race, gender, culture and the human experience. Once she graduated, we remained connected so much that I told people she was my daughter sister friend. That's what I've been telling everyone. I have lost my dearest daughter sister friend. One of our best times was the trip to the Morrison conference at Princeton University. We shared a love of Toni Morrison, good writing, and most of all a deep and abiding faith and prayer life. We prayed with and for one another over the years. As recently as June 10, she told me I have been an inspiration to her. I wrote her back that the feeling was mutual. I will save these emails forever. Because she was a strong believer,and I am too, I don't grieve the way of those who have no hope. I know I will see Charisse again later. That assurance and the memories I hold so dear of long chats and occasional emails will sustain me until then. She was a gift to us all and I thank God for her life.

Dr. Marilyn Mobley ("Dr. Maril")

femmenoire said...

Charisse will be sorely missed. I, too, worked with her at the National Trust. I recall her as one of our more energetic interns and was pleased that she eventually came to work at the Trust, in a field that she loved. She had a big smile and an even bigger heart. RIP, Charisse.

Moff said...

I found your post while looking through the poems she's written that are posted online... I got to know Charisse through SPARK, and her mother asked me to read one of her poems tomorrow at her memorial.

I've been looking for words all week to express why I'm so wrecked by her passing, and I think you and Dr. Mobley did a good job of saying what has been hard for me to say: Charisse's soul was a unique one. I rarely meet people so open, so alive, so present and willing to appreciate what was beautiful in everyone she met. To know someone who is like that despite some of the struggles she went through made her even more of a treasure.

I'm a person of faith, and I have to make meaning out of this even though I honestly am having a hard time with that. The best I can do is to promise Charisse in my heart that I won't forget her witness in my life, and that I will do my level best to see that her poetry and art live on.

Again, thank you for sharing your broken heart, and for providing a place for folks like me to share ours.

Peace.

LaTocha R. Roulette said...

Growing up Cherisse and l were all over the place! And even then, even being young she would always find a way to tell me something new, sonething interesting that would bring me back down to reality. She grew up with this trate and it only got stronger. I got a chance to speak with her days before her passing and l got a chance to tell her I loved her at the end of our conversation... I Thank you for that Lord, yet its still hard to come to grips with. I almost forgot we Share the same Middle name. I love you Big Cousin and the world just wont be the same without you. LaTocha Renee Roulette

pr8ser61 said...

Hello all, I am Charisse's mom and I say thank you to each and every one of you that has posted something regarding my baby girl. I'm learning that Charisse was even more phenominal than I thought she was. I'm grateful that God allowed me to share her for the time we had and I'm overwhelmed at the impact she had on so many lives. I asked that whatever you remember about Charisse or learned from her, pass it on, allowing her legacy to continue.....Thanks again, her mom

Kamy said...

Hi Dr. Mobley -- I just heard of Charisse's passing from her mother -- I am the founder of She Writes.com, and Charisse was a member of our community. I was so moved to read your words. Thank you for making it possible for me to get to know Charisse a little bit better, and also to be inspired by her example.

pr8ser61 said...

THIS MESSAGE IS FOR FREE, I'D LOVE TO HAVE A COPY OF YOUR ORIGINAL AND THE 13 COMMENTS FOLLOWING IT BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET IT FROM THE COMPUTER, PLEASE DROP ME A NOTE WHEN U CAN AT meclove@gmail.com, thanks in advance, Charisse's mom