Doing All Things Well

I attended a few Catholic schools during my elementary school days. Sacred Heart, in Aberdeen, South Dakota was one of them and Sister George was my fifth grade. 

Though I always wondered why she had the masculine name, George, I recently discovered that nuns took on the names of saints. She must have admired St. George, a Christian soldier known for his valor and selflessness. Remember her, she was much like a soldier; an unflinching character standing in the midst of uncouth youths. 

Sister George had a ruddy, chubby face, but her body was solid, firm, and fit. There was no flabbiness on her. She had a deep and authoritative voice that she never had to raise. No one gave her any guff, including the smart-alecky boys. She wore thick wire rimmed glasses that magnified her light blue eyes and on rare occasions, when she smiled, her teeth shone white as ivory. 

I was one of the many fifth graders in her efficient, well run classroom. But unlike at home, I was not lost in the crowd. 

Sister George noticed me. And in her presence, I felt important. She knew I was quiet and serious about school work. In the fifth grade, I still liked school. 

I remember how Sister George monitored our work. Sometimes, when the assignment included working with Elmers glue, she’d don an apron as in the instance of a particular science report. 

We had to write a report and make a booklet. It was a tedious chore involving scissors, glue, a hole puncher, rings to bind the booklet, cutting out illustrative pictures from magazines and writing our report in cursive on notebook paper!

The quote, “Whatever is Worth Doing is Worth Doing Well” was on the bulletin board in the back of the room where I sat. Those words are forever embedded into my head and into my life. It was a standard in Sister George’s classroom that became a standard for my life. 

Why Bother?

Why bother doing all things well? Sister George was one of those women who not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. Her quote, it’s worth remembering.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who need clarity when it comes to understanding forgiveness. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.