When asked who was the most influential person in her
life, Cathy Sandefur of St. George says: “I first thought of my father. He was
always around when I needed him, and taught me that a father’s love is unconditional
(or at least should be unconditional). I learned not only right from wrong but also to be true to myself and never lie or be cruel to others. Dad was a kind and generous man that I loved very
much. Even in later years when Alzheimers was taking him away from us, he
remained gentle and kind. I took him out to lunch every week and once I ask him
if he knew who I was. He thought for a minute and then, with a smile said my
full name and added, you are my daughter. This response still brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes today."
"Next was my loving mother who taught me how to cook, do
laundry, clean house and garden. She worked hard and assured me that anything
worth doing was worth doing right. Taking
care of her at the end of her life was one of the hardest tests in my life and
yet, one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I miss her."
"From my grandfather I learned a love of birds and
gardening. He raised parakeets and canaries. So much fun for a child of eight
to feed the birds and watch the fledging parakeets run across the floor of the
aviary. Grandpa also had a kind and gentle soul. He was a great cook. and his
rice pudding was the best ever made. My sweet grandmother was from Sweden and
would do anything for her family. She taught me the value of a smile even
when all you wanted to do was cry. I
consider myself very lucky to have been born into such a family and to have
been influenced for good.”
Lovely tribute..
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