These are some of characteristics that I (Bas) saw in Cathy when we worked together at World Relief. She was focused and determined. Whatever happened, I always knew I could count on Cathy.
We recently spent a weekend with Cathy at her lovely home in Surprise, Arizona, where she lives with Tia, her energetic Pomeranian. Cathy moved to Arizona more than a decade ago in order to take care of her mother and two aging aunts, who have since died. During the time Cathy was caring for her relatives, she also worked for another Christian humanitarian aid organization.
Cathy is now retired and volunteers at a number of places, including the local hospital, where her compassion and care for others encourages families in distress.
It was good to catch up on our lives since we were last together 17 years ago. When Cathy asked about all of her former World Relief colleagues, we could show her the photos we took of many of them during our recent visits.
She introduced us (via photos and websites) to her niece and nephew, Marci and Jimmy, who own a vineyard, winery, farm, and farm store on the shores of Lake Michigan. For a number of years Cathy has spent several months on the farm, being with her family and helping out in various ways.
Those who know Cathy know how much she loves White Castle sliders. We thought these sliders were unavailable in Arizona because there are no White Castle restaurants west of the Mississippi. However, Cathy has found a local grocery store in the Phoenix area that carries her beloved White Castle sliders in their frozen-food case. In fact, she told us that she had just enjoyed some White Castle sliders for lunch before our visit.
Those who know Cathy also know that she has very definite tastes in food. So, we were surprised when she proposed that we go out for dinner to a Thai restaurant, where she ordered one of her favorite dishes, Pad Thai with shrimp.
And, those who know Cathy were probably surprised to see how little she has changed. To us, she looked just like she did when we last saw her 17 years ago.
Finally, those who know Cathy would be surprised to see that she agreed to let us takes her picture. She was still reluctant, but when we reminded her that her former World Relief colleagues would love her photo (as she had seen our photos of them), she agreed. Just for you--you know who you are.
In the important ways, Cathy has not changed--in her values, her prayerfulness, her faith, her compassion for others. But, in other ways, she has changed.
We liked the things about Cathy that had not changed...and those things that had.
We are proud to call her Aunt Sissy! She is just as wonderful as you described.
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