Just so y'all know,

Last week saw one of my co-workers, a brilliant and talented social worker, pass away suddenly.  Her obituary was posted only yesterday, so as a consideration to her family, I've kept this bit of personal tragedy to myself here on the board.  Since I'm posting this without the permission of her family, I'll not mention her name. 

A mother and a wife, she put her communities needs before her own.  She found hope, through services and funding for our little town's most desperate cases.  She fought like a badger for folks who had been turned away by Churches, the Salvation Army, School Districts and Social Services.  She was often the final net for many families and is personally responsible for some 600 individual families that I know of in the last four years who are currently living with heat, food, water and shelter when before they had none.

I still expect to see her walk through the door of my office, steel mug of hot coffee in hand, ready with a quick jab, like the little sister I never had.  I just can't get my head around how someone who seemed so essential to the success of the human race could be pulled from the game so soon.  Some things I'll never understand.

So, if you wouldn't mind, take a moment to remember this fallen footsoldier.  No weapon but an open mind.  No armour but sincerity.  No recourse but a willing heart.  She leaves behind two small children and a grieving husband. 

Perhaps someday, I will be as pure as she...

PRH