Tribute to my adoptive mother

To the editor:The purpose of my letter is to pay tribute to the life of Florence Meppelink (who had worked with Teen Challenge in Cape Girardeau).

It is an inspiring story of the healing power of love. By the time I was 13 years of age, I had already been through 13 foster-care homes.

I thank God every day for Mrs. Meppelink. When others told me I was stupid and would never amount to anything, she convinced me I could do anything I really wanted to do.

After a lifetime of neglect and abuse, my adoptive mother turned all of that around.

At the time of my adoptive mother's death, she had served with my father in various ministries for 63 years. I wish I could give her a standing ovation, buy the finest floral arrangement that money can buy and present her with a plaque extolling all of her virtues, but the best tribute I can give her is that I have become a critical-care registered nurse, obtained my master's degree in theology and currently serve as the dean of a Bible training center because of her investment in a rebellious teenager nobody wanted.

A few days before her death, my dad tried to remind her of all that she had accomplished in her 85 years. She smiled in response and pointed with her index finger to heaven and said, "I did the best I could."

Thank you, Mom, you did an incredible job.

KATHLEEN MEPPELINK WHITE, Sylacauga, Ala.