Polly Rucker

St Thomas More celebrated 60 years of Catholic education Saturday night by honoring our prior Pastor, Msgr Bill Young! My mother, Polly Rucker, taught English at STM from the first day it opened in 1965 until her death in 2011. Over those 46 years,she introduced hundreds, maybe thousands, of students to Greek mythology, Beowulf, Shakespeare, the Iliad and the Odyssey…and term papers! She loved STM, her students and their families. It was my pleasure last night to kick off the fundraising for the library’s renovation and announce that the new library would be named in honor and memory of Polly Rucker! Wednesday was her 102nd birthday and I know she she was smiling down as paddle after paddle was raised with donations! ❤️❤️

Another beautiful day for Oktoberfest at STM and one that PAR would have loved. This was a favorite day for her as she loved a party. She would have loved seeing the Dominican Rally nuns and would be thrilled that the Astros are still paying in October. Jennifer and I walked over to the prayer garden to see how the tree Troop 99 planted and dedicated to her was doing. My, has it grown as you can see in the phoot below but the dedication wording has weathered away. I’m including one more photo in honor of Halloween; another favorite PAR day. I’m still hunting for the photo of the year she came as Sr. Lucia and Sr Lucia came as Polly Rucker! Those were the days. It was so good to see so many familiar STM faces that I remembered, plus the new ones I’ve met in Connor’s 10 years at STM. Blessed to be part of the STM family. 🙏🙏🙏

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of Polly Rucker's death. As I, her daughter, was looking through some of her things I found her end of the year letter to the STM Class of 1974 which included "A Morning Wish" by W R Hunt. I thought it apropos as we head into 2022 and wish one another a "Happy New Year" to share it here.

A Morning Wish
The sun is just rising on the morning of another day, the first day of the new year. What can I wish that this day, that this year, may bring to me?
Nothing that shall make the world of others poorer, nothing at the expense of others; but just those few things which in their coming do not stop with me but touch me rather, as they pass and gather strength:
A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends.
A work to do which has real value without which the world would feel the poorer.
A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays.
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed.
An understanding heart.
A sight of the eternal hills and unbelting sea, and of something beautiful the individual hand has made.
A sense of humor and the power to laugh.
A little leisure with nothing to do.
A few moments of quiet, silent meditation. The sense of the presence of God.
And the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to know them when they come.
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Happy New Year my FB Friends! May peace, joy, happiness, and fullness of life by yours in the coming year!