HONORING OUR SISTER There is a widely held belief that every one of us appears on this earth with a specific role, a sacred duty to fulfill, and I certainly subscribe to that way of thinking. Perhaps there is a message to be delivered or some special task to perform, or a life to change. None of us is here by accident. Each of us is placed here to change the world. 8
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WRITTEN BY PATRICIA THOMAS HARPER
ibbi Thomas came to earth with a destiny. She came to teach us all specific lessons. Those she touched were strengthened in their faith and learned lessons of humility. She brought us joy and reduced us to tears, as any great teacher does. God made us sisters so we could travel this path together. Every step in her journey, from her birth through the haze of Alzheimer’s taught me lessons. God made us sisters so we could travel this path together. In 1960, my sister Libbi was born with Down syndrome. That world was vastly different from today regarding our understanding and support of individuals with disabilities. When Libbi was born, a mere four pounds, her prognosis was not good. Our understanding was that her mobility would be limited at best. The ability to effectively communicate would be unlikely and any type of learning or education would be difficult, if not impossible.
