The kind of loyalty that lasts a lifetime is rarely seen anymore. I observed some of it today at my uncle's funeral. While the cousins gathered round graveside outside of the tent set up for the immediate family, there was an elderly black woman seated at a place of honor under the canopy. I saw my wife noticing this and wondering why? I pointed out that she was the maid, long since retired.
Back at the house, my wife spoke with her and introduced herself. She said that she was there to ensure that the proprieties were observed and that she worked for Mrs. Shotar. My wife being the only living Mrs. Shotar said, well that's me!! with a slight surprise. She said no dear, the first Mrs. Shotar. That's right, 38 years after my grandmother's death, this loyal woman attends all weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and funerals to ensure that the proprieties are observed. She is under no obligation to do so, but apparently one of my grandmother's last conversations with this woman, that she had hired at the age of 18, was that someone be there to ensure that family gatherings of importance were done properly. This woman has done so ever since. Now that my friends, is loyalty.