Tribute to My Sister

My family and I said goodbye for a season to my fantastic sister, Helen, on May 5, 2012 at 12:37 a.m. It was bittersweet. She was weary of the weakness of her flesh. We all knew the end was near and she really wanted to see Jesus face to face and said so unreservedly.  I tear up and my heart feels a vacancy as I try to write this tribute which can never tell it all.

She was my second Mom and a grandmother to Micah. Her kindnesses extended beyond family. Many lives were influenced by her love and care. She gave of herself and her substance. She was not afraid of work even when she battled health issues of her heart and lungs.

She was 16 years my senior and according to family accounts, spoiled me. There were the frequent shopping trips to buy me Levis and other clothes from the Boys Store in downtown Visalia after her payday. As an infant I was placed in a banana box at the cashier stand for the market she worked in.

I was very upset as a preteen when she and Lawrence picked up and moved to Santa Cruz. She always treated me as an equal with her own kids. When Mom and Dad were in financial hard times, every payday she would put a check in the mail special delivery to help with expenses when her own family probably could have used the money too.

When I joined the Air Force she was a bit upset that my enlistment date was on her birthday. I remember a humongous box of chocolate chip cookies while in basic and was able to share with the whole flight.  We had to eat them because I had no place to keep them.

In 1973 when our Mom died, Dad and I went to live with her and Lawrence and just became part of their family unit until I married. She had a daycare in the home and worked tirelessly with the babies and toddlers in her care, often usurping the law by having too many children in her care at one time. But she could handle it with a matronly strength that amazes me. After all she was Nanny! With all that responsibility she still took care of Dad and I, preparing meals and doing laundry. I do remember that she made sure my dinner was expedited on church nights so I wouldn’t miss, though she never went.

We would often joke about her naiveté on certain matters. But she never got seriously offended that I can remember. She would get all giddy and embarrassed like a school girl in some of those discussions.

When I got married she wasn’t too sure I knew what I was doing. She was my protective Momma at that time; but through time she had come to warmly and lovingly accept Carolyn as a sister-in-law. In the last few years Carolyn would clip her fingernails and toenails and give her a foot massage. The fact is that a couple of days before she passed she asked Carolyn to clip her fingernails which she did.

Baking and cooking were a big part of her passion. The best of cookies, pies and candies, especially at holiday times were spread on tables and kitchen counters. In her house you were not allowed to go hungry.

The book of Proverbs  31:28-29 says,

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." NIV

I would add that her entire family and friends do likewise.

Helen leaves an awesome heritage:  children, grandchildren, great grandchildren. In her final days she prayed for all of them faithfully. Her mobility was limited by the broken bones but her spirit was strong to the end.

Sis, there is no words to describe how we loved you so. We are all happy you are at rest in heaven, free from pain. We miss you here but my plans are to be reunited in God’s time and plan. Please show the angels how to make chocolate chip cookies and we will have a party upon my arrival