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To the editor:

I am a frequent visitor to Suffolk, stopping in to see my dear 96-year-old mother-in-law, Miriam Lawrence, who is a member of First Baptist Church. She has lived in Suffolk most of her life, lost her husband to cancer at age 43, spent 20 years of her retired life as a greeter at Walmart, and ultimately retired from Walmart in 2014 at the age of 89. Most Walmart shoppers would quickly recognize her. In fact, my wife Gail and I have been stopped numerous times while out with her by folks thanking Miriam for her kind smile and love she provided to all at Walmart. Her job saved her life, as her home was destroyed in the ferocious April 2008 Suffolk tornado while she was still at Walmart. Thank you Lord! There was a tremendous amount of destruction, but the fine folks of Suffolk survived.

When visiting Miriam yesterday, she showed me the Jan. 20, 2021, Opinion page of the Suffolk News-Herald and the excellent column written by Mrs. Myrtle Virginia Thompson. My only comment was “Bravo!” It is fitting that the generation that includes Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Lawrence completely understands that our faith and the love taught to us by Jesus Christ will always provide us incredible comfort and joy. They lived through world wars, depressions, and very challenging times, but persevered during uncertainties knowing God was always with them, no matter what. Their faith lifted them up throughout their lives, when difficult circumstances tried to knock them down. Today more than ever, we should seek opportunities to inspire, encourage and help others. Many people are struggling right now and can use a kind word or deed to lift them up.

Thomas Kelly

Yorktown