Harold Keller / L’Observateur / July 10, 1999

My friend, Johnny Marino, former sheriff of St. Charles Parish, died thisweek. Believe me, when God created Johnny, he created one unique humanbeing.

Johnny was blessed to be elected sheriff three times. His biggest asset, inmy opinion, was his love for the people of his parish. He enjoyed beingsheriff, but he was the happiest when he traveled the parish, shaking hands and talking to people.

Wednesday, as I was walking in the Alexander Funeral Home to pay my last respects, I met two ladies. One of them was Lucille V. Falgoust, whom Iknew. The other was her sister, “Sis” Webb, to whom I was introduced.Mrs. Falgoust had a walking cane. “You look good, Mrs. Falgoust,” I said. “Idon’t feel so good,” she replied. “This cane is not because of my legs, it’sbecause of my equilibrium. I get dizzy and everything seems to be going incircles,” she said with a smile. I repeated, “You look good!” and added,”God has been good.” “You bet!” she said, and her sister agreed.Mrs. Falgoust then told me that she thanks God every day. “You know,” shesaid, “we all have our problems, but we must always stay grateful.” Shecontinued, “Mr. Keller, I heard about a man who thought the cross he had tobear in this life was too heavy. ‘Leave yours,’ God said, ‘and choose any oneyou want.’ After hours of looking around the room, examining closely allthe crosses, he finally said, ‘I’ll take this one.’ God smiled, ‘That’s thesame one you wanted to exchange.'”I really enjoyed that story. It reminds me of how often we complain aboutour trials, not remembering that God won’t send us more than we can handle.

As Mrs. Falgoust, Mrs. Webb, and I continued our conversation, Mrs.Falgoust shared that she was 81 years old. “What would you change if youhad your life to live over?” I asked. “I wouldn’t change anything,” she said,not to my surprise.

When we left the funeral home, she said, “You know, Mr. Keller, one thing Ido wish is that we could have expressed our love more openly when I was young.”

Harold Keller is a regular columnist for L’Observateur.

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