Forrest Spencer Corzine 1911-1971
I was rather startled this morning with a reminder of a kindly deed my father performed when I was in my teens. But it was so much more than just a 'kindly deed'. It was a life saving gift bestowed on a little girl who was, because of my father's kindness, able to grow up and have a family of her own.
Her name was Luella. I wish I could remember her last name. I have often tried to recall it and it just won't come.
She lived across the street from us in a very broken down little house with her family, which consisted of her mother and grandmother and her uncle Wendell who was mentally handicapped [and whom I used to tease on occasion, along with my friends, but that is a blog post for another day]. Luella could only get around on crutches (on good days) since both of her legs bent backwards at the knees. She had contracted polio as a very young child and this was how she was left to cope with life. I had great sympathy for her. She was a beautiful child with long, blonde hair and a pretty face. I was fascinated with how the joints worked (or didn't work in her case) and how she seemed to go about her play as best she could with a patient smile.
My father didn't just wave and cross the street to chat with her on occasion like I did. He seriously pondered her drastic situation and determined to DO something to make her life better. He was a Freemason and as such he had availed himself of the opportunity to become a member of the Al Malaikah Temple of the Shriner's organization in Los Angeles. They sponsored the Shriner's Children's Hospital where orthopedic and burn care was offered free of charge to qualifying children. He talked to Luella's family about the possibilities for Luella. They thought it over and decided that they would like to give Luella a chance for an improved quality of life. Luella was very brave (as those who are handicapped so often are). She submissively and humbly went through several painful operations over the ensuing years, which improved her situation immensely. She never became 100% perfect as to her legs and spine, but was vastly improved by the care she received.
My father didn't stop there - he and my Mom kept in touch with her over the years, often taking gifts and allowing time for visits to see how she was doing.
I guess I didn't really stop to ponder or fully appreciate those momentous events at the time, but took it in stride as something that anyone would do - no big deal. But now as I look back I realize what a really big thing it was. Life saving in fact. Huge in its effect on the life of a very small and frail individual. He may have gained his Exaltation for that one act alone and I just thought it was ordinary. How small and shallow I was.
Her name was Luella. I wish I could remember her last name. I have often tried to recall it and it just won't come.
She lived across the street from us in a very broken down little house with her family, which consisted of her mother and grandmother and her uncle Wendell who was mentally handicapped [and whom I used to tease on occasion, along with my friends, but that is a blog post for another day]. Luella could only get around on crutches (on good days) since both of her legs bent backwards at the knees. She had contracted polio as a very young child and this was how she was left to cope with life. I had great sympathy for her. She was a beautiful child with long, blonde hair and a pretty face. I was fascinated with how the joints worked (or didn't work in her case) and how she seemed to go about her play as best she could with a patient smile.
My father didn't just wave and cross the street to chat with her on occasion like I did. He seriously pondered her drastic situation and determined to DO something to make her life better. He was a Freemason and as such he had availed himself of the opportunity to become a member of the Al Malaikah Temple of the Shriner's organization in Los Angeles. They sponsored the Shriner's Children's Hospital where orthopedic and burn care was offered free of charge to qualifying children. He talked to Luella's family about the possibilities for Luella. They thought it over and decided that they would like to give Luella a chance for an improved quality of life. Luella was very brave (as those who are handicapped so often are). She submissively and humbly went through several painful operations over the ensuing years, which improved her situation immensely. She never became 100% perfect as to her legs and spine, but was vastly improved by the care she received.
My father didn't stop there - he and my Mom kept in touch with her over the years, often taking gifts and allowing time for visits to see how she was doing.
I guess I didn't really stop to ponder or fully appreciate those momentous events at the time, but took it in stride as something that anyone would do - no big deal. But now as I look back I realize what a really big thing it was. Life saving in fact. Huge in its effect on the life of a very small and frail individual. He may have gained his Exaltation for that one act alone and I just thought it was ordinary. How small and shallow I was.
2 comments:
Made me cry! Funny how you can love someone you've never met! Thanks for sharing this story.
What a wonderful story - and so like one I could tell about my own father. He was also a Shriner, and arranged for several little children (the children of Mexican National farmworkers) to have surgery for burns or birth defects. Thanks for the happy memories of the wonderful things those Shriners did, and continue to do today.
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