Milette and I weren’t particularly close in college, but we were part of a fun crowd that enjoyed our time together and looked forward to life after college. At first, I tended to hang out with fellow Maryknoll high schoolers just because I had known them longer. Later on, sharing the same major of Communication Arts, Milette and I became better acquainted. As we began our college afterlife, we were quick to share fond remembrances of our days as co-conspirators in harmless “crimes and misdemeanors.”

 

After a few years, those lighter moments jelled into a deeper appreciation of one another as Maryknoll women. Milette reflected often that many friendships blossomed or deepened in the early 1990s as we prepared for our momentous 1968 silver jubilee at the Maryknoll Motherhouse in Ossining, New York. She was right – for it was there that we spent meaningful time together, both as a class and individually. The bonding that occurred between us – and certainly with other classmates – grew over the years into an enduring appreciation of our Maryknoll sisterhood.

 

What was it about Milette’s friendship that provided the most meaning in my life?

 

I thought of these words by American writer Barbara Tuchman, who wrote:

 

“Friendship of a kind that cannot easily be reversed tomorrow must have its roots in common interests and shared beliefs.”

 

For Milette and me, our friendship moved only forward. I could not imagine it going in reverse, or staying static. Sure, we had our moments of tension and disagreement – but we surmounted them, and affirmed instead the special friendship that we shared. In many hours of spoken and written dialogue, we sometimes chuckled over our common grasp of what I called “The Art of the Spiritually Counter-Intuitive.”

 

For example:

 

• In this Era of the Selfie, dominated by themes of “Me-Me-Me,” Milette directed her gaze away from herself and upward. The photograph I chose for this tribute is a literal and figurative demonstration of her spiritual attitude.  

 

• Milette also exemplified what it meant to be in the world, but not of the world. She did not shy away from putting forth a robust defense of the simple truths of her faith. She met with equanimity the silent opprobrium – or worse – the open mockery of others. She did not need the world’s approval. Her heart’s treasure lay in greater things.

 

• Moreover, in a world filled with sharp elbows jostling for earthly accolades and laurels, Milette chose the quiet corners of a strong prayer life. There, she was content to rest in her Lord – the One Love whom she recognized as she drew her last breath.