We all need heroes. My sister Clarice, our oldest sibling, was always a hero and point of reference in our large family.
Real heroes never know they are special. Clarice didn’t think she was outstanding when she lived away from home to go to high school. It must have been hard for her, and it must have been lonely, especially the first year. But heroes go the distance. And Clarice did that.
Even as a child, Clarice was looking after younger brothers and sisters, mastering outside duties as well as house keeping, becoming resourceful in life skills beyond her years. The wonderful sister I knew was always alert to see what others needed. Clarice loved to work in serving others: making a home for her children and husband, planting and harvesting a garden, helping in the crops, caring for our aging parents and her patients in her profession, surveying the dinner table at home comings, drying apples for her pies, or making three meals a day, Clarice was there. As regular as farm chores, she was always there.
Have you noticed that even though we cherish loved ones while they are living, we admire them even more after they pass away? Suddenly we focus better. Suddenly we understand with more depth. Suddenly instances of things remembered have more meaning and deeper meaning. We see what we only partially saw before. We realize our heroes were magnificent in every day ways over and over again.
In her last few days, Clarice was still a hero. As her health failed, her endurance of character could still be seen. She was still kind. Her loss of memory, did not mean a loss of her self. When she smiled, it was still Clarice smiling with love.
Oh, sweet sister, how much your life blessed all of us.
