Leaving Gratitude

"Catherine leaves grateful hearts and happy memories with her children..." ~ from an obituary for Catherine Shearer

When I started in the Deaf Community some 30 years ago, I volunteered at what was then known as the Kiwanis Centre of the Deaf. Catherine was a hard of hearing woman on staff there. The last time I saw her was at a 95th birthday party for one of our "old" friends. Another friend had warned me of her Alzheimer's disease and her inability to remember. What might have seemed like a sorrow to some is a precious memory today. Catherine greeted me three times during the course of the evening with great joy: "Suzanne! Wonderful to see you. You look marvelous. What are you doing lately? You are always doing something exciting." Three times came similar words and the sparkle in her eyes each time she recognized me for the "first time" was genuine and a blessing. My response was to enthusiastically reply as though I was hearing her utter the words for the first time.

She was a pioneer, paving the way for hard of hearing people in the province with great gusto and creating curriculum to teach speech-reading when she learned none existed. She was a mentor and cheerleader for many. She took young people like myself under her wings and even had one or two move in with her when it was time to fly their family nests and try life on their own. I appreciate how interested she was in people's lives, including my own. I am grateful for her efforts on my behalf and how she would always take a minute to thank me, first for my work as a volunteer, and later as an interpreter. She knew gratitude and left it among the hearts that mourned her passing today.

As her three children shared their remembrances of their mother, I was awe-struck at how glowingly they spoke of her. She really had been a faithful mom, leaving wonderful memories and a deep sense of being loving and loved. What a wonderful gift!

I pray that when I leave this life, that people will hold grateful hearts and happy memories regarding my time here on earth. Lately, my mind comes back to what do I want to leave here when I am gone...gratitude would be a good legacy.

Peace,

Suzanne