Page 42 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

A place

worth going

and a person

worth knowing

You won’t meet her equal anywhere. She personally out the lab and x-ray department. It is hands on.
assisted the young man who wrote the grant that funded They see things up close and personal. It helps
the position she fills as Manager of Mission Services at them decide whether healthcare is for them. It
Plainview Covenant Hospital. The position called for a is a win-win situation for us and for them.”
bilingual Registered Nurse; Sherrie Wall is neither. When Sherrie has a physician friend who comes
she was called for an interview she reminded them. “You from a family of doctors. He knew he was
need a bilingual, Registered Nurse. That’s not me, so expected to become a doctor as well. And he
you don’t need me.” But obviously, God had other ideas. did. After years of training and a huge financial
Sherrie fills this position beautifully. investment, he hated it. Finally, five years later,
She is gentle, joyful, laughing and loving, humble he confessed that he despised being a doctor.
and uncommonly kind. She points the competent, But he became an effective and enthusiastic
compassionate staff to the mission of the Sisters of St. pharmaceutical agent. “So we welcome these
Joseph…to provide, without cost, excellent healthcare young people to look things over,” Sherrie
to the poorest among us. She is fervent and faithful to smiled.
that task. “Ministry must be our constant motivation in The CEO who hired Sherrie occupied the
effective healthcare.” office next to hers at the time. He observed
Sherrie is a wife of 46 years. She and Art have three the comings and goings of those who walked
amazing children. “I apologize to my children every day, through her door. When Sherrie confessed she
but I pray I am a decent mother. They had to share me probably spent too much time visiting, he cut
with everybody because I volunteered everywhere.” But her off at the pass. “Sherrie,” he said, “you are
her family explained, “We kids always had hot meals a fireman. You constantly put out fires, hugging
and everything we needed. And we weren’t jealous. We and crying with people who need your ministry.
knew, that’s just Mama.” Then she breaks into melodious You are doing precisely what you are supposed
laughter. Sherrie laughs a lot. She has found laughter to do. Don’t change a thing.” Sherrie took a
is the closest distance between people. “Now, I wear deep breath, “It’s amazing that I am allowed to
this silly grin most of the time because of my precious do what I love doing, what I am called to do, and
grandbabies.” get a paycheck for doing it. It is very humbling,”
Volunteers have a watchful advocate in Sherrie. She she whispered with tears in her eyes.
keeps the roster for the Chaplains encouraging them When I asked Sherrie about the most difficult
to come when they can. She also oversees the Junior time of life for her, she paused. “I guess that
Volunteers, age 14 and up. “We allow them to shadow would be when the schools were integrated, and
services of various departments, observe surgery, check I left my little black school.” Sherrie walked away

42 Lubbock Senior Link