SPECIAL | feature
“ GRE AT ! A PARK I NG SPACE , AND NOT TOO FAR FROM THE S TORE ENT R ANCE , ” I thought to myself as I carefully eased my SUV behind a cheerful red sedan and parked. Then I noticed the license plate. It had the letters “PEO” in it. “How funny!” I thought, “P.E.O. ... those three letters have been such a part of my family for nearly 120 years.” As a great-granddaughter, granddaughter and niece of some wonderful P.E.O. sisters, I had recently been thinking a lot about having let my membership lapse during our last move across the country. And remembering my grandmother’s words, “You are never without friends in P.E.O.” As I walked by the empty red car, I noticed a daisy sticker on it and realized that this car must actually belong to a P.E.O. sister! Wow! Now I wasn’t sure what to do. So I said a little prayer that God would make it possible for me to speak to the unknown P.E.O. sister. After nearly an hour of successful shopping, but no sign of a P.E.O. sister, I left and went to my car. As I unlocked my door, I heard a cheerful voice behind me give a casual greeting. I turned to smile at the speaker and realized with a start that she was standing at the P.E.O. car! A lovely woman, with a beautiful smile. “Excuse me, are you in P.E.O.?” I BLURTED OUT,
SHE SMILED DEL IGHTEDLY AT ME , “Chapter IF, Saint Louis! Are you a P.E.O. as well?”
I NEARLY SHOUTED MY RESPONSE .
She beamed and gave me a big hug. Then she told me all about her amazing chapter and invited me to a meeting. What a wonderful answer to my little prayer. I went to the next meeting with my new sister, Lynda Kalb. It was just as welcoming and wonderful as Lynda had described. Since then, I’ve been to meetings where sisters have shared fascinating stories, listened to experts on a variety of subjects and attended a fabulous Christmas luncheon with music and a special reading provided by our own chapter, all accompanied by great food and laughter. Some of us even get together weekly to walk at a park. Happy times are ensured when P.E.O. sisters meet! I am now a happy member of Chapter IF, surrounded by gracious, friendly and active sisters. What a wonderful homecoming it has been! Coming home to P.E.O. is finding a family. A family of sisters, who are always ready to welcome and encourage. If you, for any reason, are no longer active in a chapter, reach out and find one in your area. Your P.E.O. family is waiting to welcome you home. So many interesting and talented sisters cannot wait to get to know you! I can vouch for it—give them a chance and you will find that to do so is a joy!
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March–April 2022 | THE P.E.O. RECORD
WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG
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