“And when something awful happens, the goodness stands out even more …”
All my life I have believed in good. Bad sometimes prevails, but I have always figured if I hold on long enough bad will fail in the end. Lately, it has gotten more and more difficult to hold on to the good. Sister Paula Merrill was murdered on Thursday. She was a nurse practitioner who dedicated her life to providing health care to people in the poorest county in Mississippi. I knew Paula Merrill. We went to St. Pat’s in Stoneham together for eight years. We went to Fenway Park to watch the Sox. She went to one high school while I went to another, but when my family was moving to the Cape, Paula offered a room in her house so I could finish high school where I started, but we lost track of each other sometime after high school. I didn’t even know she had become a nun. When I visit my sister, I go by Paula’s family house, and I think Paula Merrill lived there. I go by another house and think Dennis McCarthy lived there. Paula Tague lived in another house I pass. Marilyn Rich lived on that street and David Coleman on another. Patty Hurley still lives up the street from my sister. They were my classmates for eight years and are part of my history. When I drive by their houses, I remember each of them, but they are frozen in time. Paula Merrill isn’t any longer. I mourn her death despite the years since we’ve seen each other. I firmly believe, though, that despite all, Paula would remind me to hold fast to the good for all I’m worth.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: bad and good, murder, Paula Merrill, sad, St. Pat's, Stoneham
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
August 27, 2016 at 1:03 pm
I wondered if you knew her. It’s very sad.
Please accept my sympathy and keep holding on to the good for yourself and in her memory.
August 27, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Hi Caryn,
I knew her well when we were young.
Thank you!!
August 27, 2016 at 1:48 pm
I am so sorry to hear of her horrible demise. Unfortunately, the people who can least afford medical care lose someone who is helping by providing care. Sadly there are still people in this country who are still angry that the slaves were freed and the South lost the Civil war. Poor whites are most upset because they are now equal with blacks.
August 27, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Bob,
They arrested a man for the crime. He is black. I don’t know why he killed them but I suspect it was also a robbery.
August 27, 2016 at 6:11 pm
Since the confederate rebels were pardoned by President Andrew Johnson, the Southern states passed black laws and set up Jim Crow systems to keep the former slaves oppressed. Even though black Americans have made amazing progress because of the civil rights movement this has only increased the anger of many white people. Places like Mississippi have worked diligently to keep black people oppressed even today which leads to their anger and drives some people to commit crimes. Whites in the North used norms to keep people of color oppressed as the former slaves moved into the north looking for opportunities. The rise in popularity of Trump is a direct response by white folks to the civil rights progress and the Presidency of Obama. Since the 1960s white Americans have a desire to go back to 1953. We have a sad legacy of racism still to overcome in this country.
August 27, 2016 at 10:17 pm
Bob,
Many whites are looking at the rise in numbers of minority groups and running scared. The election and reelection of President Obama added to their fright. That it was a backlash against republicans and eight years of Bush and the idea of Sarah Palin as vice president was forgotten. Trump’s biggest numbers are from high school education whites. That says so much.
August 27, 2016 at 3:15 pm
This horrible crime just got more real and even more tragic. I didn’t know it could. Like everyone else, I suppose, I just don’t understand. I don’t understand why it could happen to two women who dedicated their lives to doing good. I don’t understand how anyone could do such a thing for any reason. I don’t understand how we’ve gotten to the point where this is just another small story in the paper or a 30-second mention on the evening news. I’m so sorry you’ve lost a friend, no matter how estranged. I’m sorry the world has lost two more examples of what it means to be selfless. I don’t understand.
August 27, 2016 at 4:18 pm
im6,
I don’t understand either. She and the other nun were givers. They didn’t want anything in return.
It has been so long since I’d last seen Paula. I was living on the cape when we lost touch, but I hadn’t forgotten her.
August 27, 2016 at 4:40 pm
We are heading to St John Fisher Chapel for services we will hold you in our prayers
August 27, 2016 at 4:44 pm
Thank you, My Dear Hedley.
August 28, 2016 at 12:43 am
It is not often I am at a loss for words…wow. Just wow.
All I can do is send a virtual hug.
You cannot stop trying to do good in the world just because someone does the opposite. The good in the world is accomplished by small victories such as your friend was doing.
I am sad for your loss, and will say a few prays tonight.
Coleen
August 28, 2016 at 10:36 am
Coleen,
I agree about the need even more for the good.
I hadn’t seen Paula in such a long time, but my memories of her are strong. I could see the Paula I knew in the pictures of Sister Paula. She was a remarkable person.
August 28, 2016 at 3:19 am
I’m sorry for Your loss.
Christer.
August 28, 2016 at 10:34 am
Thanks, Christer
August 31, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Kat, I’m sorry for your loss. What a tragedy.
August 31, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Thank you, sprite. I do have wonderful memories of our long ago friendship.