Peace, Old Friend

I found out yesterday that an old friend of mine in Saskatoon has passed over from this life to the next ... Allene Becker.

I first met Allene when we were sitting in the same row at church at a Women's Retreat. You know how you get comfortable at these things and tend to go back and sit in your same row with the same people. We chatted a bit and I found her to be a very personable and fascinating person. As a result of the weekend, we met for coffee. At that time I was a single parent and Allene and I talked about how getting through Christmas was going to be both an emotional and financial struggle for our family that year.

A few weeks later, Allene came into my place of work and gave me an envelope. "God told me to give this to you," she said. I wasn't sure about her theology, but I was sure about her heart. When I opened it, there was $100 in cash.

That's the kind of person Allene was. I always called her "my angel." She had a very tough life with her health problems, but always kept her faith. She was an English teacher who spent time teaching in the Yukon, until health problems put an end to her teaching career. Although she had a couple of serious relationships, she never married nor had children. She considered her students to be her "kids."

Over the many years since I lived in Saskatoon, occasionally I would pick up the phone and there would be Allene on the other end. Recently, she moved into a care home in Saskatoon, and I am thankful I was able to write what I now know was the last letter she would receive from me.

I am thankful for this special lady being part of my life. I'll miss you, Allene. I imagine you laughing and dancing in Heaven, as only you can.