My Friend, Helen

 By Mary Jeppson

      Recently, I drove back home to Lincoln, Nebraska to attend the funeral of my friend, Helen.  She was 86 years old, had two sisters, worked at the Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph Co. for 42 years and was married to Shelton for 60 years. It sounds like an ordinary life however there was nothing ordinary about Helen.

      The minister started his sermon with “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. We all knew what he was talking about. To “look” at Helen one would have never guessed what her life accomplishments were.

      Before Helen started going to school, she began to have a problem with her right leg. Her parents took her to the doctor and he was unable to diagnose the problem. It was decided to put a brace on her leg which was made by the local blacksmith. This was to be her first cross at a young age. The kids she had played with were confused at first but soon realized it was still Helen. When she did go to school some of the children were cruel. After time she made several friends and was determined to fit in! By the time she was in sixth grade her legs began to hurt and her joints were swollen. The doctors had never seen a case in such a young person and said she would never walk again. Those words were the turning point for Helen. Her goal was to walk up the stairs at graduation to receive her high school diploma.  She promised God she would help people with disabilities for the rest of her life.

      She carried many crosses throughout her life.  There was the constant pain when she walked and the stares and comments of others. However, it was her faith which helped her focus on her talents in which she would share with others.

      I mentioned she worked at the telephone company for 42 years. She was the first handicapped person to be hired. At that time there was a policy which they did not hire married women or handicapped people. She later became active in the Frank H. Woods Telephone Pioneer Association. It was through this organization she was able to help several individuals and groups with disabilities.

      Helen stood about four feet tall.  She struggled to walk but always had a smile on her face to the outside world. She was a leader who taught us by example. We were encouraged to use our talents given to us by God no matter what our circumstance may be. Her life was devoted to God and service for others. Her ability to overcome obstacles in her life was always credited to her faith.

      Like Helen, there are many people here at St. Therese who lead by example. If we look around, we will see them giving their talents to serve the Lord and our parish. There is much more to do. We all need to share our talents. Jesus challenged us to use our talents in Matthew 25:14-30 ‘The Parable of the Talents.” It is a good passage to read often. Because, one day we all hope to hear Him say “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt. 25:21)