Her voice was like an angel that day--singing so beautifully. It was the Jewish
High Holidays services at the synagogue and her solo in the choir that afternoon
was extra breathtaking. Everyone in the congregation sat with tears in their
eyes--it was that powerful and moving. Sharon Rice sang perhaps even more
beautifully that day because it seemed as if she had extra help from God.
Ten Years Earlier
Sharon was always trying to help people. In the community, Sharon was always
there to help. If a person needed a ride to the doctor, Sharon would volunteer;
if someone needed a meal, Sharon would cook it; if any individual needed
anything, Sharon would try to make it happen.
Sharon was so nice, so sweet, and so helpful. However, on that eventful day, ten
years ago, most people merely thought of themselves because they were in the
synagogue with their families on one of the holiest days of the Jewish calendar.
But that day was a traumatic day for Sharon and her family as soon Sharon would
be diagnosed with cancer.
The physicians were very pessimistic, telling the family that their wife and
their mother only had a short time to live. However, Sharon was a fighter. She
said, “My work is not finished,” and she fooled everyone.
It was not easy. Aside from her illness, her husband also became ill and there
were other family “difficulties.” However, Sharon learned that all human beings
have “problems” or “difficulties.” Therefore, she was not interested in the
“problems”, only in the “solutions.”
Even though Sharon’s health was like a roller coaster throughout the decade, she
was far more concerned with her loved ones than herself. One time, for example,
she went for a checkup at the hospital. Unfortunately, the physician expressed
sorrow over her cancer spreading. The doctor said, “You need to plan.” Sharon
thanked him and left the hospital. Did she go home to sulk? Did she feel sorry
for herself? If not, what did she do?
She did the only thing she could think of. She went on to do what she always
did: help others, and she was excellent in that dimension of life.
No matter how bleak it would appear for Sharon, she would always be smiling,
with concern for the other person. Yes, Sharon Rice was a wonderful person; some
might say “an angel on earth.” But even angels sometime have to return home, and
after a long, and sometimes difficult illness, Sharon passed away.
At her funeral at the synagogue, the Rabbi concluded his eulogy with the taped
version of Sharon’s beautiful and powerful High Holiday solo that was recorded
just a few months before. Even though Sharon was so ill those weeks, her voice
had been magnificent. All were weeping in the synagogue as the Rabbi concluded
with the audio tape of Sharon’s solo. However, I imagine Sharon was smiling from
the heavens above as she was singing in tune with the taped recording of her
beautiful prayer.
Sharon did have a beautiful voice; however, she also had a beautiful soul; one
that will live on for eternity.
©2007 by Michael Segal, M.S.W.; all rights reserved
mike@inspirationbymike.com
Shot in the head during a robbery, Michael Jordan Segal defied all odds by first
surviving and then returning to college. He then earned two degrees with honors,
married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and became a father to his daughter
Shawn. Mike is a social worker at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston and an
author (currently he has two book projects he's working on: an autobiography and
an anthology of his short stories). He also is a popular inspirational speaker
sharing his "recipe" for recovery, happiness, and success. Please visit
www.InspirationByMike.com ,
www.sterlingspeakers.com/segal.htm or call, toll free in the
USA/Canada, 1-877-226-1003 for more information.
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