The Charity of Christ Crucified Urges Us On

Her name was Sister Louise Camous, D.C. She was my principal. Last Friday evening, around 9:45 she passed away after a long, turbulent and painful ordeal with cancer. She was my principal for the school year 2008-2009 and she was starting her mission this year, but her body and superiors decided she should take a medical leave. She was not doing well and was on oxygen. The last time I saw her was on Saturday the 10th of October. She looked exhausted, but was pleased to see me and another co-worker from the school.

She was a tough cookie to work for. A professional at all times, strict, a sense of humor, and a deep spiritual devotion to God and her religious community. We became friends, much to the "bad mouthing" of my close co-workers. It hurt a lot to see people close to me referring to me as a kiss ass. Everyone would be quiet when I entered the room, thinking I'd snitch. That's not me and Sister Louise knew what was going on. My co-workers will never understand why she and I became friends. I like to talk to people; be friendly. And I do sign a piece of paper called a contract and must do everything I sign on for. Loyalty can get you into trouble, but who cares! My mother always said if I signed something, to keep my name clean. But, as usual, I digress.

Sister Louise believed in me, I suppose. I started using computers in the classroom, with my notorious WebWednesdays, wherein the kids would do webquests or research. As long as everything in the curriculum was covered, my classes could do work on the computers. She loved the use of technology in the classroom. She wanted her teachers to grow professionally and beyond the textbooks. After all, we are in the 21st century!

One more thing. She accepted a distant relative, who is in my class now. Apparently another school did not like her test scores, and Sister Louise said that we did not operate like that. We give a child the chance to do his or her best; that's why we're here- to help children who are struggling, not like other schools who want the creme de la creme. The day she accepted her, I saw the spirit of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac in person.

I will miss her somewhat sarcastic jokes; her knowledge of science fiction movies and her lesson plan checks. I only worked with her for a year, but I made a friend, among many in her community. She is at peace now, and I am sure a new guardian angel for my school.

If you've ever seen The Trouble With Angels towards the end, when Sister Ligouri passes away and Rev. Mother reacts- well, that's how I feel at this moment.

Rest In Peace, Sister Louise!