I'd not seen her for many years!  This "Sister of Charity" had a great effect on many people.  I remember her saying: she came to this house to trim the other sisters' hair."  I was a child then.. so many years ago.

It was quite a long drive out to her home. My wait in the lobby seemed like ages, before they found her.  Brought her the cookies she used to love.  I was greeted with "Hello Mother." 

Shocked, I ignored with "Hello Sister Sheila.  How are you?"  We then sat at the table and she asked if  "Father was coming down for dinner soon?" I related stories of my familyand that everyone was well. Sadly, she didn't seem to remember me or them.

A few minutes later, I stood up. Leaving the cookies for her & her friends, I said I must return home soon after I check on Sr. Rita.

As I was leaving, I remembered diagramming sentences on the blackboard.  In my mind's eye, I saw our little black & white composition books with Sr. Sheila's corrections. I recalled her walk through the classroom aisles dispensing her strict guidance on manners & good behavior.  I saw her bent fingers as she'd lead us in daily prayers. 

One particular class came to mind.   Sr. Sheila had  spent the weekend playing & replaying "Bridge over Troubled Water". All this effort  was to obtain all the lyrics for us.  Sr. Sheila had used her Pitman shorthand, steno & typing skills obtained from her former career.  I think it was the same class where she said she'd made a bargain with God.  She would do his work if He'd stop her illness.  So Sheila Mary McCormick became a Sister of Charity and began teaching English to elementary school children.

And we're all the better for it.  God Bless our teachers!