Integration 3 Megan McNelis Tony Polotto Moreau First Year Experience March 4, 2022 A Canvas to Remember We have come here today to celebrate the life of our friend Megan who passed away with love in her heart. Today as we reflect on Megan’s life, we can reflect on death and the importance of living a life well lived—a life Megan constantly strove for. And in the end, a life I think she found. A life based around her faith and morals, and lived with those she loved. Megan was one to always remind us to take a step back, and appreciate what we have. She constantly was a reminder of the importance of finding beauty in our lives, even when we are bombarded with chaos from daily life. In the article, Why We Need to Slow Down Our Lives, Pico Iyer writes that, “It’s only by stepping farther back and standing still that we can begin to see what that canvas (which is our life) really means, and to take in the larger picture” ("Why we need to slow down our lives" by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). Throughout her life, I saw Megan appreciate the canvas of her life, but also the canvas of those she loved. She found the beauty in each one of us, even when it was hard for us to see ourselves. Today as we sit here, all connected by our love for Megan, I think we should appreciate the canvas of Megan’s life. The bright colors that we saw through her smile and the beauty of each stroke–purposeful or not. Each piece of her canvas comes together for a breathtaking canvas—a canvas that can only represent a bold, vibrant, and beautiful life. https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau Megan’s life was one defined by her trust in others. She would not let one of us struggle alone and ensure that we worked together hand-in-hand. She believed that any problem tackled with someone you love was possible to overcome. She saw the strength in each of us, and in return we were inspired to show her the strength she embodied. Megan once told me the story about when Fr. Hesburgh put two men who at the surface would not seem they would get along– a black lawyer and a southern conservative–together on a boat. And, after one fishing trip they were able to understand one another more fully and work together for the greater good. In the end, the two men just needed to see each other as human beings with different opinions. Fr. Hesburgh’s inspired idea, that civil discourse and respectful dialogue promote relationships that open new doors of possibility. ( "Hesburgh" produced by Jerry Barca and Christine O'Malley) - Moreau FYE Week Two). Megan was truly willing to jump into a boat with anyone. She listened, learned, and understood each of us–even when she disagreed with our opinions. No matter, her trust in others allowed her to overcome the control of judgements and assumptions that control so many. Fr. Michael Himes once wrote, “We are called to be as intelligent, as responsible, as free, as courageous, and as imaginative, as loving as we all can possibly be!” ( "Three Key Questions" by Fr. Michael Himes - Moreau FYE Week Three). Megan pushed herself to do just this. She was inspired to use the gifts God gave her, to give back to her communities, her family, and her friends. As we remember Megan’s life and we look at her canvas, I see passionate streaks of courage. I see the bold colors of her imagination. I adore the straight lines that remind me of her always responsible advice. The complexities in her canvas call to mind the thought she put into her words and her actions. And the warm colors remind me of the love she could convey with one squeeze of the hand and a smile in her eyes. https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/35977/modules/items/146887 Megan was one who would say she never really knew what she wanted to do with her life. But, we know that in every job she took on a whim she would “consider all four aspects - values, interests, personality, and skills” ( "Navigating Your Career Journey" by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week Four). She valued giving back to the community that supported her throughout her life–such as her catholic elementary school. She was interested in a range of topics, from engineering to service to traveling around the world. Her personality was one that craved personable communication with others and sparking joy in those around her. And she worked hard at perfecting her skills in whichever job she had at the moment. Her interests varied, took her to many different places and allowed her to bring inspiration wherever she went. We know that Megan desired to have a purpose that serves the needs of others in a community. She valued hard-work and appreciation for life. We saw her doing her best when she was motivated by the idea that my actions will be of help to others. ( "Week Five Discernment Conversation Activity”- Moreau FYE Week Five). These are all testaments to her love for those in her life and those she knew could help. Megan understood that, “We can spend endless amounts of time in self-reflection but emerge with no more self-insight than when we started” ( “The Right Way to be Introspective (Yes, There’s a Wrong Way)”, by Tasha Eurich – Moreau FYE Week Six). Instead she would turn to her faith or service to reset and find herself when she started to feel lost. She was always motivated to find where she could be of help to others, instead of looking at all the ways in which she needed help. No matter the day, Megan had the ability to make us feel loved and accepted. She understood our troubles and didn’t judge our mistakes. She brought love to our hearts and https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit?usp=sharing https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/35977/modules/items/147135 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/35977/modules/items/147135 inspired in us peace of mind. And happiness fills my soul by recognizing that Megan is now “in a new, expansive location, in a place of endless acceptance and infinite love”, and I find peace in the knowledge that she has “wandered into God’s own ‘jurisdiction’” ( "Chapter 8: Jurisdiction, Tattoos on the Heart", by Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., – Moreau FYE Week Seven). As we mourn here together, we can be comforted by the fact that Megan is wrapped in God’s arm and surrounded by her family and friends who have passed before her. Today, let us reflect on the canvas that was Megan’s life. One that was full of love, inspiration, and joy. And as I reflect, I know that Megan’s life was one that was well-lived. And the canvas of her life surely reflects that.