Michael: Six Years Ago (2014)

Peggy Sax

Every year in early April, I especially think of Michael White. For me, the week of his death was a real before/after experience, a moment in time that I will never forget, akin to J.F.Kennedy’s assassination or September 11, 2001 (two seminal moments as a US citizen).

A lot has already been said in the past 5 years. Michael’s presence in my life will always be there- memories and saying sprinkle into my conversations (just today I was telling someone about Michael’s “Catharsis with a K.”). I imagine I will always be in conversation with Michael in my inner life.

Here are two questions that keeps me pondering…

How do you think Michael would feel/reflect if he could see recent developments in narrative practice? What do you think might give him the most pleasure?

What might give Michael concern?

My first thoughts (in response to my own first question!~)… I think it would give Michael joy to witness how narrative ideas and practices continue to flourish, spawning a new generation of intrigue, fresh ideas and new blood taking on teaching assignments…

(I can hear my client in the waiting room…no time to respond to my second question).

What’s it like for you to realize this is the 6th anniversary of Michael’s death? I ask this both to those of us who were lucky to know Michael, and those of us who are learning about him through the experiences of others.

Peggy

April 5, 2014

Marija Welton

Replying to your first question simply, I think every time an oppressed person discovers their voice of protest and has help amplifying it, every time a unique outcome is discovered and a new, previously hidden story of someone’s life comes forth and is “thickened” and displaces an old problem story of someone’s life, these are events in therapy that occur because of Michael’s contribution to the world of therapy and he might be glad to hear that those in the trenches are able to continue using his ideas to help enrich people’s lives (and challenge the prevailing politics). Not sure re your second question but I think it would be along the lines of someone using his ideas or his work, reputation or their connection to him or his work in ways that would oppress or harm others (eg., exclusion practices). I am forever grateful that he put his ideas out in such a clear, understandable way that I can make use of them still and often to very good effect. It always feels like a gift when I do my work using his ideas as a framework and find people retrieving their lives from problems and leaving my office feeling good about their present and optimistic about their futures. Who could ever burn out with that kind of input.

April 5, 2014

Peggy Sax

Marija, thanks so much for this. Your words capture what I would like to say too. This morning I read your quote to SuEllen Hamkins (on a Skype call). She too was touched by your words.

You are so right. Michael is there in every conversation where people retrieve their lives from problems and leave our offices feeling good about their present and optimistic about their futures.

Yes, who could ever burn out with that kind of input?

I also agree- Michael would want us to be sure to ensure narrative ideas, his contributions, are not used to oppress, harm or exclude others.

Peggy

ps Welcome back, Marija! Lovely to have you with us.