In Remembrance

I wanted to tell you a little bit about the loved one who passed last week because he was an extraordinary individual. And I don’t say that lightly.

His name was Bernie Henault and I met him about 13 years ago because he was Steve’s uncle (by marriage). Bernie immediately stood out from the rest of Steve’s family in two ways—he was loud (in a very cheerful sort of way) and he only had one leg (he’d lost the left one when he was hit by a drunk driver at 17). Bernie was married to Steve’s aunt Sharon, who has cerebral palsy. They are two of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.

Bernie’s standard reply to my “Hey, how are you?” was always, “Well, I’m on my last leg.” He lived on laughter and positivity. Sharon does too. She loves to tell about her mother’s reaction when she first brought Bernie home to meet her parents. “But, he’s a cripple!” her mom had said, and Sharon had looked at her and cried, “Mom! Look at me!”

But honestly, there is nothing crippled about either one of them. And there IS everything remarkable about them. They both worked hard to help others their whole lives. They adopted two high needs kids and years later raised two of their five grandchildren. They are both the kind of people who would do anything for anyone. Without exception, without expectation.

Bernie worked in social services for 40 years, helping low income families, fighting inequality. He spent almost his entire life trying to make life better for other people. He didn’t feel sorry for himself, he didn’t expect handouts because of his physical limitation. He believed that all people are worth helping.

There is a lovely article from 2009 written about him by Kevin O’Connor of the Rutland Herald detailing much more of his life and his spitfire spirit, if you’re interested. (I HIGHLY recommend it if you’re in the mood to be inspired.) This is just a snippet:

Henault has a long resume of advocacy for low-income and educational, economic and environmental causes. He tells the story of serving 16 years on the North Country Union High School Board when other members complained bitterly about the cost of special education students.

“I said, ‘Should we gas the little suckers?'”

People gasped.

“Then what are you saying?” he responded. “There are no throwaway children.”

I’d never heard that story before, but that is SO Bernie. He was passionate, intelligent, warm, and incredibly positive.

I was lucky enough to know him personally, and I think I loved him from that first “I’m on my last leg” reply. The world lost a bright soul a week ago, and I can definitely feel his absence. Even from afar.