Making connections

A friend of the family speaks to Erma Schmidt's courage

Catherine Anaya’s story about 79-year-old Erma Schmidt and her 64-year-old niece in England she has never seen is fascinating.

I had the privilege of knowing Erma’s daughter, Sandra Lugo, who passed away 15 years ago, in her 40s, from an illness. Recently, one of Erma’s two sons passed away from another illness. To lose two of three children, on top of being orphaned as a girl and losing her eldest brother during WW II is more than one person should have to endure in a lifetime. Erma’s tragic background seems to elevate the urgency of connecting with her niece, a piece of her family.

In any case, Erma’s gracious outlook, concentrating on the blessings in life, is a model for all of us.

Deanne Poulos
Phoenix