~to make a difference~
I stopped to keep a promise to my sweet sister Sherry yesterday as Mike and I headed back home from a visit to Reno County, Kansas. In the waning days before her death in the summer of 2017, I told her that every time I went home to Haven, I would stop by the cemetery where she would be buried to say "hello" to her.
Yesterday I did.
The wind was blowing, as usual, by the time Mike drove up to where we left her earthly remains. That day in June was very warm and sunny, with a clear "robin's egg" blue sky above us all. Yesterday was quite a contrast with a day of perpetually gray skies , temperatures in the 40's, and a touch of drizzle falling upon us. Mike helped me to place some Christmas flowers into the earth near the center of our headstone and because the hour was getting late, we only remained there for a short while. I wish I could have stayed longer, but at least for that moment one thing was a certainty.
Sherry was remembered.
The months and years after her death at age 70 have continued to pass by at near record speed. So much has changed since June of 2017, and Sherry would be surprised to see it all. We were still living in Burkburnett, Texas back then and I was teaching second grade in Grandfield, Oklahoma. We waited a year after both Sherry and Wes had died before making the decision to move closer to our family back home in south central Kansas. I believe they would both be grateful to Mike and I for the time that was spent close to their home in Altus, Oklahoma and equally happy that we moved on in life after they both had gone.
My heart always feels better when I hear someone remark about Sherry during those times when they relate their acquaintance with her either through school or life in Altus. I smile when I listen to what they have to say because it allows me to remember the happy times that we managed to share together. I have had people tell me that I remind them of Sherry in one way or another. Once I was even in a crowd of Altus folks and as I was visiting with them, a man in another group next to us turned around to say,
The door to my days of being an educator is barely ajar at present. Once wide opened, it now has only a small space to go before it closes for good, leaving only memories of over 4 decades that was spent doing something that both Sherry and I have carried in our hearts. I hope when my time as an educator is complete, that I can be at least half ways remembered as the kind of person she was.
Sherry and I were talking during one of those "at peace" moments in the week prior to her death. We were discussing the idea about being buried side by side back home in Laurel Cemetery near Haven and what we should have them put upon our headstone. We wanted people who would happen by our gravesite to know a little bit about the two names that were etched upon our stone. Both of us wanted to be remembered for trying our best and doing everything that we could, especially for our students. We wanted to remember our "Kansas roots" and that in the end, both Sherry and I would have accomplished what once we set out to do.
We made a difference.
Yesterday I did.
Sherry was remembered.
The months and years after her death at age 70 have continued to pass by at near record speed. So much has changed since June of 2017, and Sherry would be surprised to see it all. We were still living in Burkburnett, Texas back then and I was teaching second grade in Grandfield, Oklahoma. We waited a year after both Sherry and Wes had died before making the decision to move closer to our family back home in south central Kansas. I believe they would both be grateful to Mike and I for the time that was spent close to their home in Altus, Oklahoma and equally happy that we moved on in life after they both had gone.
My heart always feels better when I hear someone remark about Sherry during those times when they relate their acquaintance with her either through school or life in Altus. I smile when I listen to what they have to say because it allows me to remember the happy times that we managed to share together. I have had people tell me that I remind them of Sherry in one way or another. Once I was even in a crowd of Altus folks and as I was visiting with them, a man in another group next to us turned around to say,
"Oh my goodness! You sound just like your sister!"Sherry was always a role model to me in her life and the mentor I forever went to when questions about being a teacher and doing the right thing for kids would come up. I miss those times when she was only a phone call away, especially during the time right after school. I have gone on without her in the classroom, even though I was certain that I could not.
The door to my days of being an educator is barely ajar at present. Once wide opened, it now has only a small space to go before it closes for good, leaving only memories of over 4 decades that was spent doing something that both Sherry and I have carried in our hearts. I hope when my time as an educator is complete, that I can be at least half ways remembered as the kind of person she was.
Sherry and I were talking during one of those "at peace" moments in the week prior to her death. We were discussing the idea about being buried side by side back home in Laurel Cemetery near Haven and what we should have them put upon our headstone. We wanted people who would happen by our gravesite to know a little bit about the two names that were etched upon our stone. Both of us wanted to be remembered for trying our best and doing everything that we could, especially for our students. We wanted to remember our "Kansas roots" and that in the end, both Sherry and I would have accomplished what once we set out to do.
We made a difference.
Christmas of 2015 in Altus, Oklahoma
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