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leave your cows at home. Horst is survived by his widow Marybeth Bartholomew who is currently trying to find a new home for her cow, Bessie.
    The sisters chuckled over their father’s boyish sense of humor.
    “At least he did not let life get him down,” said Louise.
    “It’s the sign of a true survivor,” said Jane, “the ability to find humor in everyday life. Good for Father.”
    Alice closed the journal. “You know it bothered me, at first, to think of Father having such a hard childhood and youth. But the more we read this, the more I think that God really used all the sadness in his life to make him into the kind of man who could do the sorts of things he did.”
    “Like reaching out to those who were suffering,” said Louise.
    “Or helping people in need,” added Jane. “I remember clearly how Father always helped out whenever he heard of people in need. It didn’t matter if they went to our church or not.”
    “That’s right,” said Alice. “Helping Hands ministry was his idea. It was the first outreach for needy people no matter where they go to church—or even if they don’t go at all.”
    “You know, Father may not have talked about his pastmuch, but it is clear that it affected the way he served God and his fellow man.” Louise sighed. “I guess I do not feel quite so uncomfortable knowing that the Howard family history had its dark moments.”
    “So, it doesn’t bother you to think that we may have some skeletons in the closet?” asked Jane.
    Louise puckered up her mouth. “Goodness, Jane, it is not as if anyone committed murder.”
    “Not that we know of,” said Jane with a mischievous grin.
    “Oh, Jane.”

Chapter Seven
    A lice was relieved to learn that Vera had been able to return to school, but she could tell that her friend was exhausted when she telephoned her after work.
    “The doctor can’t seem to tell me much of anything,” said Vera. “None of the tests came back conclusive about cancer, but since it does run in my family, he wants me to have some more tests done later this week.”
    “Well, they’ll figure this out,” said Alice. “How is Fred doing?”
    “He’s worried. I try not to talk to him about it too much. I don’t like upsetting him. I’m glad I have you to talk to, Alice. It really helps.”
    “I just want you to get better, Vera. You let me know if there’s anything I can do, okay?”
    Vera agreed, and Alice hung up the office phone, saying aloud, “Poor Vera.”
    “Something wrong?” asked a voice from behind her.
    Alice turned to see Susan. She nodded her head. “Mybest friend is ill, and they can’t seem to figure out what it is. She’s really frustrated.”
    Susan nodded. “That’s hard. In this day and age, we expect the medical experts to have all the answers. We forget that they don’t know everything.”
    “Isn’t that the truth,” said Alice.
    Susan looked at Alice’s uniform. “Did you and Mark meet through medicine?” she asked.
    “In a way. He’d just started practicing veterinary medicine, and I had found a cat that had been hit by a car….”
    “And you felt sorry for it and took it to the vet clinic?”
    Alice smiled. “All right, I suppose it’s true what they say about me being such a softy toward animals. Especially those that have been hurt.”
    “I think it’s sweet.” Susan put her hand on Alice’s arm. “And I can see why Mark liked you so well. You never married either?”
    “No, I didn’t. My nursing career took a lot of my time, and I’ve always done a lot of church work. When I began to care for my father, as he grew more elderly, somehow marriage just never quite fit in for me. I guess I believe that God just calls some of us to be single for a purpose. I’m perfectly happy with my life.”
    “Oh, I’m sure you are,” agreed Susan.
    “So, are you feeling a bit more rested today?”
    “Definitely. But even so, I plan to stay into the weekend. My husband doesn’t get home until Sunday