by Bonnie Mays

On the crisp Monday morning of March 1, 2010, with the promise of spring in the air, choral students of L. C. Bird High School arrived to their classrooms as normal. It was with great anticipation, knowing the show choirs were facing their first set of competitions at the close of the day that upcoming Friday. But more than that, the students were anxious to survive the week … looking forward to seven long days down the road when their choral director would finally return to school from several weeks of surgical recovery. No sooner had the day begun when the announcement echoed down the halls … Mrs. Margaret Gregory had unexpectedly passed away.

And so a love story unfolds … one buried deep within the hearts of thousands. The tears shed from every corner of the county with no one able to bear the thought of such a talented and compassionate teacher being lost in time. As the week progressed, family, students, teachers, administration, friends …  so many pulled together in her memory.

Attending her funeral that Friday were more than could be housed at Chester Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Gregory’s father spoke with reverence as he led the service and shared a few stories of her childhood. Her husband spoke of their special relationship and read a favored poem of theirs to her friends. Rows of students sat with one single pink ribbon attached in their hair that read, “We love Mrs. G.” Two of her choirs joined to sing “For Good” during which time there was not one single dry eye to be found in the room. The words spoke such truth …

FOR GOOD by Stephen Schwartz

I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason
– bringing something.
We must learn, and we are led by those who help us most
to grow if we let them, and we help them in return.
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
– but I know I’m who I am today because I knew you.
Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun;
like a stream that meets a boulder half-way through the wood.
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better,
but – because I knew you, I have been changed for good.
It may well be that we will never meet again in this lifetime,
so let me say before we part –
So much of me is made of what I learned from you;
you’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart.
And now whatever way our stories end
– I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.

Like a ship pulled from its mooring by a wind off the sea
– Like a seed dropped by a sky bird in a distant wood.
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better – but
– because I knew you I have been changed for good.

Yet, the love story continues …

Only a few short hours after the funeral service, her Reflections group entered Manchester High School to prepare for the competition. They were escorted to a room which was decorated with an enormous poster welcoming them and was signed by many children offering them support and praise. Shortly they were greeted with a single line of ladies entering their room to deliver a flower to each girl with a personal, hand-written note sharing their loss and providing a shoulder. As they walked through the halls heading towards the rehearsal room, the entire reception area applauded them. Complete strangers were offering their hearts, love and support to these girls who were holding their chins up and going forward in her memory.

As the stage curtains opened, with the auditorium seats filled to capacity, every competing group, every teacher, every student, every adult … chanted in loving adoration to the single set of ladies waiting to perform. L. C. BIRD … L. C. BIRD … L. C. BIRD! And as the introduction proceeded and then concluded with, “under the direction of Mrs. Margaret Gregory,” the screams produced a deafening echo like none ever heard before as they received a standing ovation. The Reflections show choir delivered an outstanding performance, each with their single pink ribbon still proudly displayed in their hair. Hanging from the ceiling under which they performed was a banner that read, “We Love You, Mrs. Gregory.” The sign housed hundreds of signatures and loving notes. Her Sudden Image show choir went on to compete the next day under very similar circumstances.

The energy and love displayed that Friday evening between all throughout the county was a heartwarming experience that should be grasped by all and taken to heart to learn from the phenomena. In times when all seemed down and lost, Chesterfield County was able to pull together. This is a love story beyond compare, to be held close to our hearts throughout all time. Chesterfield has always been considered a wonderful place to live. And situations like this confirm that we have far more than just a remarkable area in which to reside, we are surrounded by the best of the best around every corner.

You never know when you may come upon those special individuals in your life. They may be a parent, friend, neighbor or teacher ... they appear in many forms. Grasp those moments and hold tight. Margaret Gregory was one of those unique individuals who touched many lives. And she will never be forgotten!

Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what’s to be a resting place,
along the road to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys, different paths along the way.
We all were meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay.
Our destination is a place far greater than we know.
For some, the journey’s quicker, for some the journey’s slow.
And when the journey finally ends, we’ll claim a great reward
and find an everlasting peace together with the Lord.
- Author unknown -

Visit Facebook to read the many tributes that have been posted in her loving memory. IN MEMORY OF MARGARET F. GREGORY