One day last summer, one of my Facebook friends, Tammy, who I only met online asked if her friends would “friend” her neighbor who was trying out Facebook. He was 94 at the time. I did and that’s how Marcel Murrell entered my life. What I didn’t know is how much he would change my life.
On his page, it says this: “I’m old, but happy to be alive. Living life and loving it.” And he was. On Wednesday, our Facebook community was told that it was likely his last day on earth. It was. But he died with his friend, Tammy, who throughout the time she knew him made sure that he had all he needed. At the end, she was with him, with Hospice care. And close to the end, Marcel was still talking on Facebook, still telling all of us how much he loved us.
I can’t tell you how many tears I have cried since he died. Marcel, compared to family members that have died, was articulate, interesting, and funny up until that last day. My family has battled with Alzheimer’s and dementia and so the person has been gone long before the actual death.
With Marcel, his age never interfered with his communication skills. He was known for telling us a little more about Tammy than she would like. But at the same time, he was there to counsel, encourage, and make us laugh. Early when I met him, I mentioned that I was looking for a camera. He told me the brand he would recommend and kept asking if I had bought it yet, until I finally did. Marcel loved photography. Between him and Tammy, whose photos are amazing, I learned much about seeing through the eyes of a camera. And I learned much about seeing life through the eyes of Marcel.
Later Marcel experimented with Twitter and his tweets made me and so many others laugh:
RT @MarcelMurrell: Every new wrinkle improves my chances of beating a speeding ticket.
RT @MarcelMurrell: If you’re making a sign to be held up at a sporting event, it doesn’t hurt to use a dictionary.
RT @MarcelMurrell: Do cobwebs exist if you can no longer see them?
Marcel came to the US from France to work for NASA. He worked directly with Werhner Von Brahn, one of the most important rocket developers and champions of space exploration during the period between the 1930s and the 1970s. Marcel’ fascination with space continued throughout his life.
Marcel was known for his 1:30am time for Cheerios. When I saw that Cheerios had a Facebook fan page, I quick told him that he should become a fan because no one was a bigger fan of Cheerios than Marcel. In true Marcel fashion, he said, “Thank you, I’m heading over there right now.”
I can’t tell you how many times when I was feeling burdened, Marcel jumped in there to cheer me up or tell me it was time to take a nap, take a walk, or just relax. I encouraged a number of my friends to friend him too and those that did were just as impacted by him as I was.
I learned that he was in Hospice care from my friend, Dawn Bugni, another career professional / resume writer who had friended Marcel on both Facebook and Twitter. She sent me an e-mail to make sure I was aware and we talked back and forth privately as the day went on. One of Tammy’s friends let the rest of us know on Facebook ”Sleep well Marcel Murrell 8:02 PM November 11, 2009″
I will be forever grateful for the day that Marcel wandered into my Facebook world and into my life. He changed it and I will miss him.
Julie -
Tears stream as I read this. I posted on Marcel’s Facebook page as the end drew nearer, “You take my love and respect with you. You impacted my life and left footprints on my heart. I wish you peace.”
For those that can access his Facebook page, a visit there defines love. The emotion, the respect, the admiration exuding from that page is palpable. He was witty until the end and passed peacefully. He’s my model for how to age gracefully. I’ll never stop learning and trying new things. And while I do, I’ll carry a smile because a 95-year-old man, I never met in person, inspired me so.
For those that think Twitter and Facebook are a waste of time, think again. I wouldn’t trade my virtual relationship with Marcel for anything. Without social media, I’d never have know him. I’d never have been so blessed.
Thank you for posting this Julie. I know Marcel is smiling and thinking of a snappy come back for both of us, as we speak.
Huge hug and God bless you my friend. You introduced me to Marcel. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for that.
Marcel continued to be a blessing to me from the day I met him. To have that level of impact that makes me cry every time I visit his page or even think of him. The story of him and Tammy was so amazing. To care for someone in the way she did, goes way beyond being nice to an elderly neighbor. Tears are streaming again… We should wish to be blessed that much ever again in life.
This was beautiful. I wanted to write something like this on my blog, but I couldn’t even find the words. So, instead, I put the famous Marcel picture up, with one tiny quote from him. I just wanted to keep a little bit of him there with me as a reminder of how simple it is to make someone else’s life a little better. He did that for so many of us.
Thank you for this beautiful tribute to Marcel.
I’ve been so slow at getting around to reading this beautiful post. My heart could handle only so many in a week.
He loved you Julie…and still does.
You’re welcome, Lisis. You’re right, he did that for so many people. For me, the words kept echoing in my head until I wrote them.
Awww, sweet friend, he loved you mostest… and rightfully so. You cared for him, met his needs and made his days full of wonder and full. I just loved him because he was wonderful, caring, and full of life. And how come I have to keep reaching for the Kleenexes… thank you for sharing him!