Eulogy For My Sister Liz

My sister Liz was a teacher, and I was her first official student.  Yes-- my first day of 1st grade at
Crestwood Elementary School, Liz, a recent high school graduate, who was preparing to head off
to college at Eastern KY University, was the last minute substitute for Mrs. Coyle, my first grade 
teacher.  You can imagine how special I felt to have my big sister teaching us that day!  But, at that
time Liz didn't plan on becoming a teacher and so followed the course of a history major in college.  
It was only later, when like many college grads, she was trying to find work, that our dear family 
friend Betsy Green suggested she come to Florida, a place where there was a great demand for 
teachers, and where college grads were allowed to begin teaching jobs as long as they also started 
coursework to get their credential.  But, regardless of whether or not this became her career by 
choice or necessity, I believe that all who encountered Liz as a teacher would agree it was 
something she was well suited for and a career for which she excelled.

Perhaps one of the greatest gifts God gives is the gift of helping others recognize and use their 
gifts.  Of the many moving tributes I have read in reference to my sister's many years as a mentor 
to young people, I think one former student sums up the sentiment of many, with the statement, 
"Thank you for showing me that I was worth something." 

In my faith, I believe that God feels we are all worth something.  But, most of us have times 
when we feel we are less than something good.  At those times we need someone to lift us, 
believe in us and inspire us to embrace our worth.  Liz was that person for many.

The effects of this kind of God's work Liz did in her lifetime as an educator are exponential.  
I am certain that each student, friend, colleague and even stranger that she encouraged and 
inspired was moved to do the same for others they encountered along their life path and so on 
and so on and so on --- so that we begin to lose count of all the good that has spread from 
my dear sister.

I also believe that this good continues on like a ripple in a pond that has no boundaries or 
shore to contain its wake.  This image of the continuity of Liz's goodness brings great comfort 
to me in my time of grief.  It also inspires me to reflect on my own sphere influence and
encourages me to focus on building up others whenever I can.  It is not as hard as we might 
think.  My sister was not perfect and we don't need to be perfect in order to do what we can 
with whatever tools and gifts we have been given.  We just need to start today.  We don't need 
to help or inspire everyone.  I imagine that there will be times we fail at this task because our 
own self-interest blinds us to those who need our kind words and encouragement.  We just need 
to lift up one person at a time and hopefully like my dear sister, over the course of a life, we will 
have made some positive difference in this world that, like her, we will eventually leave.

Life is short, and we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel 
with us, so be quick to love and make haste to be kind.  --Henri-Frédéric Amiel

Delivered at Liz's Funeral - St. James Episcopal Church, Pewee Valley, KY on 2/22/14


Liz (with me) - dressed for her High School Prom 1965

2 comments:

  1. I hope you don't mind me posting my thoughts here but for some reason, your sister is on my mind tonight. Mrs. Sheridan was my junior and senior civics and history teacher. Let's not forget that Mr. Sheridan was also my principal at Murray Middle where perhaps my behavior wasn't quite as "stellar" as it became in high school. Maybe that's why she always had her eye on me. (Haha) And eye she did. No talking, no chewing gum, and you wrote every word she said in a notebook, everyday, no exceptions. I remember thinking, why??? I was not dumb to realize that later in life I would remember almost every word I wrote in those old tattered notebooks (that I still have) Every morning I would see her with he little bag from Hardees (one sausage biscuit-it was her lunch) headed to the teachers lounge, She was the best teacher, by far, I have ever had. She made me believe I was better that I though I was. Her words lingered in my head long after high school. I leaned on them in hard times and they will mean something to me forever. She was my amazing grace… Miss you Mrs. Sheridan-forever.
    Crystal Sparks-Lore

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  2. Crystal-- thanks so much for your remembrance of my sister. One person's positive influence and encouragement of others can have a tremendous impact on the world. Pass it on!

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