A Short List of Virtues

In the dozen days since my friend Sonja's funeral, I've been trying to come up with good words to talk about what she's meant to me and to others.  I had hoped for an essay by now, but it's not yet coming. 

Instead, here is a short list of virtues she owned and lived for 39 years:

To smile always and laugh often.

To tease for fun without being mean.

To have faith and to share faith without hesitation.

To live by high standards. 

To find the best in things, without being blind to the worst.

To struggle honestly.

To follow her heart.

To imagine new possibilities.

To create new good.

To trust others.

To take big risks.

To never feel superior, despite her status as a teacher, provider and star.

To share her joy and wonder.  With everyone -- not just the people who make it easy.

To love animals with all her heart, and to care for them with all her skill.

To be wise without being old.

And to ask always, "What next, Lord, shall I do?"

Without context, I imagine that this list might look generic.  But I hope you'll trust that there is much behind each item.  If any remind you of the best you'd like to be for yourself, then I'll be glad to have shared these with you, and happier still that Sonja shared them with me.

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photo: Happy Tails Country Club