“God is love, and whoever abides in love lives in God and God in him.  In this way, love is brought to perfection among us.”  (1 John 4:16)

Editor’s note: I’m posting this at nearly 11pm on May 16 because we lost our power for several hours here in Carmel. The “Mad for” streak lives for another day!!

As the month of May begins to draw to a close in the coming days, I find myself a little wistful.  Our time at St. Louis de Montfort School is drawing to a rapid end, and there are many folks who have been alongside us on that long and blessing filled journey as a family.  One such person is Megan Helmen.

Megan is an incredible wife and mother who is filled with the light of Christ.  She’s the mom to 5 really terrific young people who each strike me as sunny, productive and faithful souls just like their mama!  Her husband, Matt, is an equally terrific human. I first met Megan because of her oldest son, Jake, who by now would be a junior at Ball State.  He’s pictured above with his Mom, celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Jake went through SLDM with my son, Nick, and since both of us have been milling about the same parish campus the better part of the last two decades, it was hard to miss her bright smile and warm temperament.  She’s positive, forthright and full of integrity.

My memory is fuzzy about when Megan started working as a nurse at SLDM.  I do know that in her role she is BEYOND patient and compassionate.  She communicates well with parents in the case where her expertise is needed, but more than that she loves each of the students as if they were one of her own children.

School nurses are often overlooked or taken for granted.  Though their role is vital to the entire community, we can often simply forget to share our gratitude.  Megan is a woman who would waive off my concern about not properly thanking her for her efforts over the years, but the truth is that I have definitely blown it on this one.  This is a miss I truly regret because Megan is a woman with a heart like Our Blessed Mother.  She’s virtuous, faithful and kind…and she loves Jesus!  She’s a wonderful model of motherhood and an utter blessing to all in the St. Louis de Montfort school and parish community!

Megan, you are the REAL DEAL!  Your time, expertise, kindness and sunny smile have been such a delight over the past 16 years.  We are beyond grateful for the simple emails about bee stings, headaches, and playground bumps and bruises over the years. We see you following out that child with the stomach flu at mass. We know your work isn’t easy, nor is it glamorous.  More than that, though, I want you to know that your light-filled presence has been a Jesus sighting many times for me.  I so admire the positive energy and enthusiasm you have for life and it inspires desire for the same response in me…and many others!! THANK YOU, MEGAN FOR ALL YOU DO EACH DAY!!