Richard's Rhetoric

- a blatant waste of web space -

September 4, 1999

Last month a dear friend - a shire brother - lost his mother to cancer after many months of fighting the disease. I felt that I should pay my respects even though I had never met this woman. I visited the funeral home and attended the funeral the next day. After the funeral I went to my shire brother to express my sorrow for him and his family when he asked if I would come to his mother's home and have some food and maybe we could talk and relax.

Accepting his offer, I expected to spend a half hour or so and then politley excuse myself. But, as I met the family members who had gathered at this house, hours passed as I began to piece together a picture of this woman whom I had not met. The family and friends of this lady painted a picture as vivid to me as any portrait. This lady had been a loving mother. A friend, confidant, and care giver to those around her. She took people into her home who were unable to care for themselves, even though she was fighting a life threatening disease herself and was only convinced to quit when her own treatments left her unable to give the care that she knew these people needed.

She was a devout Catholic, who loved her church and spread her kindness liberally to whomever she met, and for this I am sorry I never made her aquaintance. However, I have come to know her, not so much from the stories told that Saturday, but by the laughter and smiles that accompanied the stories. It was obvious to me that few memories remained of her in her sick bed. These people remembered the good deeds accomplished by this lady.

I write of this because in the SCA we speak of being in search of the "dream". A dream of a time of chivalry and noble deeds. A time when your word was your bond. Why do we search for these things? Because we do not find them in our own lives, but Good Gentles let me say that these ideals are not yet dead, because this lady possessed every grand ideal that we play at in the SCA even though she was not a member. This lady is a shining example of what humanity is supposed to be, what it once was and what it can be again if we as human beings stopped for a moment and helped our fellow man. If we smile at someone who is having a bad day or help someone cross the street or just think happy thoughts. If we all did just a little good for someone else everyday and not just when we were "playing" SCA.

I find it ironic that I have learned more from a person whom I have never met than some people whom I've known all my life.

I have not mentioned this fine lady's name simply because those of you who knew her, know of whom I write and as for the rest of you, I want you to search out your own teacher and become a student again. Watch how easy it is to be kind, patient and understanding.

Let's not "play" at the dream, but make the "dream" a reality.

Yours in truth,

Richard

©1999 Rick Hasha - All Rights Reserved.