A "Sisterly" Gem From The Past

Many years ago, on the death of my oldest sister, I wrote a letter to my family, and now would like to share it.

                            FOR, LO, The WINTER IS PAST

                           FROM THE SONG OF SOLOMON

    My beloved spake, and said unto me.  Rise up, my love. my fair one, and come away.

    "For lo, the Winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

     The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my fair one and come away."

     Isn't this what we celebrate today? Irene carried me around like I was hers when I was a baby. She encouraged me as I grew, and when I was about to enter the service in World War II, she took me on a short trip to the State Capitol, Springfield, and Branson, even before Branson of today was thought of. Because she did this, I happened to be on a diving board and looked down just in time to save a small boy from drowning. I know not who he was, but because Irene, Ine, as we called her, he was saved.

     Then when I hitch-hiked home from the Marines, she picked me up at her husband's, Herb's, station and took me home to go to work.

     But doesn't the Song of Solomon cover everything? She enjoyed her new gas fireplace and looking out her new window and when the winter was past and the rain is gone, she enjoyed the "Singing of the Birds," although the voice of the turtle was probably a turtle dove.

     The fig tree might have been her lawn and flowers and her children and grandchildren for whom she had a deep caring love, but I really believe the grape vine is her wisteria now in full and fragrant bloom.

     What a wonderful time for the Lord to say, "Arise, my fair one, and come away."

     December 25, 1907            TO IRENE          May 13, 1995

I hope you enjoy this tribute as much as I did writing in so long ago.