My Sister's Keeper

I am a project person. My tendency is to "keep my nose to the grindstone" and get my "work" done. I judge my day by "what I've accomplished". However, I'm realizing projects never truly "get done". Sometimes there aren't even any really good stopping places. While I am working, people are all about, facing their own worries, and challenges. I get great fulfillment from connecting with people, especially when I can lift or help them in some way.

In my prayer this morning. I asked, as I often do, that I might be aware of the needs of others. That prayer was answered and it feels good. The Lord allowed me to "be there" for someone who was little more than a stranger this morning, but we shared one of life's most significant moments and a bond of love was born.

Our elderly neighbor had a heart attack and I was able to overcome my hesitations, enter their home with the paramedics and become a companion to his wife. I was with her at the hospital and held her in my arms when he passed away. The thought of losing my own sweetheart has been a major fear for me all my married life and I ached for her as she faced that dreaded moment.

There are many imminent decisions and challenges left for her. Maybe I can assist her with some of them, but then she will move away. This may be just one moment in our lives, but I am grateful for that moment and will love and care about her forever.

Life has so many demands on time and attention. How do I organize myself and fit in everything I need and dearly want to do and include being there for others? Though I receive considerable satisfaction from getting through the lists in my planner, my greatest joy comes when I feel like I have been of true service to someone else. I have a feeling that as I ask the Lord, I will somehow find the balance.

"That Which Is Not Written Is Lost"

Our daughter, Julie, just used the above title on her blog. It was a thought shared at our family reunion as our children told stories of ancestors before family prayer each evening at our recent Pothier Family Reunion (more later). As I prepared materials I realized that the only reason we know anything about an ancestor is because of the stories told or written. Stories tend to change, so the facts are sometimes questioned. The most reliable sources are the things written by the person himself.

I realized that my own grandmother is our grandchildren's great great grandmother. That was an awakening for me. I have one memory of my great grandmother, who crossed the plains at age 8. To my own grandchildren, she is their great great great grandmother, yet I know both. Those of us in between are the only link they have unless her history is recorded.

I truly want to gather and digitize the stories that we do have and research to see if others have more life histories, but my first responsibility is to see that my own history and personal experiences are written and my memories of those I know, personally, are recorded.

There are so many tools today to preserve our memories and experiences. Blogs, journals and pictures are priceless. Within the recordings of our own experiences we can include memories of others. I love my children and grand children with all my heart and soul. I will love great grandchildren and their children... forever. I'm sure our ancestors feel the same and yet we don't even know them.

I am resolved to write. I hope this is one resolve I can keep.