The Energy of Love

Colette Hellenkamp attended the Book-Reading of Mark Chmiel’s The Book of Mev at Marty and Jerry King’s on May 27, 2005. Mark asked Colette to do the reading of the chapter entitled, “The Gospel accoridng to Mev.” Colette wrote this response later that evening.

5/28/05 12:06 a.m.

I just spent the most spectacular evening basking in the presence and memory of Mev. I was reminded of why I am so enchanted by her and compelled forward by her example. I allowed myself to receive the love that even just the memory of Mev kindled in the room. Her love is without question still very alive and present and active. Active and powerful. Tonight, Mev moved people to tears, struck people speechless, motivated to action, inspired prophetic love and diction, pushed people to take risks in the name of love and goodness and truth. Her “vibrant love” and passion and joy for every moment of life—truly re-centering and re-focusing for me.

And Mark. Oh Mark. So beautiful and energized in the love he holds for Mev still—unshakable, smug, grateful, adoring, proud. And he called me up at the end of his reading to read the last chapter of his book—a journal reflection written by Mev in 1991. This impromptu call to action and courage now leaves me speechless, in reflection. That has got to be absolutely one of the most incredible honors I have ever received in my life—to speak the incited passionate stirred genuine heartfelt authentic voice and heart of one of the people I admire most in life—and at such an important event and moment in the healing process for Mark and Mev’s community. And in such an open, public space.

For me, personally (besides being trembly and feeling very fragile and vulnerable for being called to act as this voice without notice), I was absolutely stirred excited inspired awed by the words that were coming out of my mouth as I read them even to myself for the first time. These precious words could have been words spoken directly from my own heart describing what I am all about, what I stand for, what moves me to action, why I am going to El Salvador, and why I live for and out of love. A public personal self-declaration. And yet those words were not my own. Mark is very clever and deliberate like that. It was an incredible, inspiring, deeply stirring moment for me.

I feel refreshed, energized, reminded, re-focused. So thank you, Mark, for this evening. And thank you, Mev, for the memory and energy of love and vision you leave with us today. I honor you, and I promise to walk with the passion and love and joy and conviction that your example calls us to.

NAMASTE.

Colette Hellenkamp

Colette Hellenkamp graduated from Saint Louis Unviersity in May 2005. She is currently working with CRISPAZ in El Salvador. She studied in Social Justice class in Spring 2004.