On Dec. 26, 1965, we received a call from Baton Rouge saying that my wife’s older sister, Elma, had a freak accident in her driveway and was rushed to the hospital. Little did we know at the time that she would be crippled for life and confined to a wheelchair.

She and her husband, Normal LeBlanc, were blessed with six children and later moved to Arizona. Last week, Elma passed away. Her husband preceded her in death two years ago.

I read the following prayer that would be fitting for the way she lived titled, “The Game of Life:”

Dear God: Help me to be a good sport in this game of life. I don’t ask for a special place in the lineup. Play me where you need me. I only ask that I can give you 100 percent of everything I have. If all the hard drives come my way, I thank you for the compliment. Help me to remember that you never send a player more than he or she can handle.

Her husband cared for her as a godly man should.

Her children asked Jeanne to write something to be read at the funeral. In her grief for the lost of her sister, I share it with you.

“My sister was one-in-a-million. Her life was not always a bed of roses, but in spite of the many trials she had, she never complained, never felt sorry for herself and always had a smile.

“I have many good memories of Elma, but the memory I keep close to my heart and will always treasure is my last visit with her in June.

“My nephew, Coy, so kindly planned a road trip to Arizona.

So he, my daughter, Ronny, and I started on our trip. We didn’t tell her we were coming until the day

we were to arrive. When I called to tell her we would be seeing her soon, she was ecstatic, and I was even more so. She called a few

times afterward to find out where we were and what time we’d be arriving. She was so anxious for us to get there.

“I am so thankful for the days we spent together. They were perfect. We reminisced over old memories and made new ones. She seemed so happy.

“As I kissed her good-bye, I was smiling on the outside, but in my heart, I was struggling with the fact that this might be the last time I’d see her.

“I’ll miss her a lot. She fought a good fight, she finished her race, and I can picture her smile as she heard, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.