A Friend

Valentine's Day is poking it's head around the corner.

Thoughts of love, and ah, yes, chocolate candy, as well as both requited and unrequited love emerge in memory.

And then there's another memory of

An incredible, independent and often controversial friend who departed this earth not that long ago.

She had two names. One was used on the passport when we traveled; the other in the life she chose as an educated young woman,

Ann, or Sister T, which was the affectionate term we used for the friend who traveled and inspired us on so many shared journeys is not easy to forget.

Especially on February 14th which was her birthday,

Often on the adventures we shared, dear Sister T could be extremely difficult with her reluctance to relinquish long established and rigid eating habits.

This often proved a bit insurmountable and more than a bit annoying especially during the two weeks our group was stranded in Scotland.

And that's when we thought of her as Ann.

However, in time of need, compassion or common sense advice, there was no better companion both in life and quest for adventure.

My beloved friend, Sister T, helped me survive the four lonely years of being my husband's caregiver. She was always on call whenever the wind whispered a friend was in peril emotionally, physically or spiritually.

Meanwhile, she was fighting her own demon of diminishing health and the closure of the convent where she had spent so much of her life caring for young women in need.

Most of her friends were unable to say adieu before she left, but God allowed one faithful friend to hold her hand as she prepared to board the ferry.

So although Valentine's Day is a time to remember lovers, it is also time this year to recall a woman who chose to give her life to God, yet always shared her wisdom, laughter and very strong opinions with the pilgrims she met along the way.

Sister T's intellect was not robed in pretension, but shone with simplicity and common sense. Her voice though occasionally just a mite strident was used to alert others of danger. And her innate kindness was the robe she wore under her simple blue dress.

So on February 14, when St, Valentine's Day is celebrated, I will remember the friend, who had two names and guided not only me, but so many others for more years than I care to recall.

Happy birthday, dear Ann who became Sister T, you served Him and Barbara's Ladies so well.