My wife is fond of saying that Helen Smith is who she wants to be when she grows up.
If more people had this goal, surely this sad old world would be a much better place.
A world filled with Helen Smiths would be fiercely independent, loyal to the core, kind and generous to all, smart as hell, tough as nails, hard-working, fair-minded, dignified, humble, brave and above all, honest in word and deed.
What a wonderful world that would be.
What a wonderful Helen we have.
She has an iron will mixed with a gentle soul. She frequently speaks her mind, but is always willing to listen. She’s hard when she needs to be, but she never lets it diminish her soft side. She knows how to be ‘one of the boys,? but she’s a true lady in every sense of the word.
I first met the 81-year-old Oxford resident back in 1999 when I was just a cub reporter fresh out of college.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
I was standing outside the Oxford Village Council chambers being berated by this nasty little woman who didn’t much care for the opinions I had been expressing in my column.
‘I’ve lived here 25 years and . . .?
Just then, this authoritative, gravelly voice abruptly interrupted her and announced, ‘Well, I’ve lived here over 50 years, a lot longer than you have ? and I happen to agree with him.?
I looked behind me and standing on the porch, puffing on a cigarette, was this rather imposing lady. Immediately, I was glad she was on my side.
The woman who had been yelling at me, shut her mouth and meekly scurried off like a child who had just been scolded by her better.
I turned around to thank my unexpected defender and formally introduce myself.
From that moment on, Helen Smith and I have been friends.
Helen’s always been my biggest fan and supporter. She’s always had my back and defends me like I’m kin.
I’m nothing special mind you, that’s just who Helen is. If she likes you, if she thinks you’re doing a good job or the right thing, she will stick with you through thick and thin.
Her stamp of approval is the gold seal in Oxford.
To many people, friendship is just a word, something that can be conveniently cast aside in favor of self-interest.
But that’s not how Helen sees it.
To her, a friend is a friend, period. You don’t abandon them. You don’t forget them. You don’t betray them.
You stand by them and they stand by you.
If you have a problem with that, you’ll have to answer to her.
Helen Smith is the best friend Oxford has ever had. I can’t imagine the town without her. She has done more for the people of this community than any government official or agency ever has.
From the community’s youth to its veterans, Helen has spent decade after decade helping others and serving the town she loves so much.
If there are funds to be raised, she’s there. If there’s a need to be met, she’s there. If there’s a wrong to be righted, she’s there. If no one else has the courage to speak up, stand back because she does.
Helen does all this not because she craves the spotlight or because she wants to pad her resume or because she thinks she has all the answers.
Helen does all this because she genuinely cares about everyone and everything around her. Oxford isn’t just her home, it’s her family.
Helen does all this because she has a good heart and is a truly selfless person.
Helen does all this because she’s Helen and believe me, there’s nobody in Oxford, or anywhere else for that matter, that could ever take her place or even begin to fill her shoes.
I can’t believe how incredibly fortunate I am to have Helen Smith for a friend.
Her choosing me to be a part of her life is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever received.
I admire and respect her more than mere words can express.
I love you, Helen. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for being you.