A giant's footprints left at ULM

Originally published in The News-Star newspaper, November 12, 2006

"There were giants ..." This beginning of a verse in Genesis is sometimes used to describe individuals who have made the most significant of differences or contributions.

Sometimes giants are seen through what they have built, for example T.O. Brown and C.C. Colvert. Sometimes giants are seen as they go about their day-to-day lives, mostly helping others. One is Molly Lewis, who cleaned Brown Hall for more than 20 years and gave advice and friendship to students and faculty alike.

Recently, I went to a memorial service for another giant. This service celebrated the life of Linda W. Christmas, who served for 10 years as the director of the University of Louisiana at Monroe Family Resource Center (Family Connections, Family Ties). She came to ULM as an early step in fulfilling the vision of Jenny Savage for a resource center providing help for families in northeastern Louisiana.

I had the opportunity to meet Christmas at Resource Center programs where there were celebrations of the blessings of adoptive, foster and biological families along with those agencies that helped to support them. There were always lots of people, lots of food and much love.

Christmas was everywhere ... kind of. Her presence seemed to be in all the rooms at the same time, even though she was only in one.

One time she complimented me on this newspaper column that I had just begun to write. I was astonished that someone with two degrees in English, a former college professor, a writer of so many columns on parenting and a very successful grant writer would know of my work. I learned that was her way, to see something in someone and encourage them to be better.

At the service, I watched person after person stand up to talk about her. Over and over I heard about that magnificent smile and throaty laughter. I heard she was with us for only a short time, but oh, what a time it was. I heard how she was an advocate for families, always saying to those with resources, "You gotta do this." And they did. I heard how she was a unique encourager, never doubting a person, and telling them over and over, "You can do this." I heard how the work of the Resource Center will go on, not only to continue helping hundreds of families as has been the case over the years, but also now as a determined memorial to her work. I heard and saw what an awesome family she had built. Through so many tears, many noted the promise of the future for families because of her.

So, there were giants. Some have built buildings, some have cleaned them. Some have built and served families and advocated for them, and trained others to do so as well. And all the while taking time to smile and be a unique encourager. Linda Christmas, we will miss you and will work to shine in the light you left.

Pamela Higgins Saulsberry contributed to this column.

Dr. John Knesel, ULM Professor