Time to Heal

Exit Instructions

When the cover of my story shuts and you put me away ~

don't forget to reread me often.

Dust off the memories, careful not to mar them ~

with unnecessary tears.

Turn down your favorite passages ~

yes, linger over the laughter,

the days, the years, compressed alive.

Waiting like a beloved book ~

able to inspire and heal,

long after the author's pen

is stilled.

- by Donna Kluesner

Ruby Moon-Houldson was my close friend and founding board member of the Carnegie Heritage & Arts Center.

I wrote the above words and gave them to Ruby in a small crystal box to comfort her after the passing of her husband this past March. Little did I know how those words would apply to her only a few short months later after her horrible murder.

The past few months have been a state of turmoil and the feeling that justice had not been served. Information given out recently has attempted to answer the details of her murder and I commend our local law and justice personnel for all the countless hours spent on this case.

It may be that there will always be questions unanswered.

For 47 years Ruby lived her life. She touched so many in those 47 years... she went from a small child that protected her younger sisters, to a woman who gave so much and continued to protect those in need.

Even though I have a strong streak of justice in my core, sometimes I just can't make it all right. I have to let it go ~ and instead turn to my favorite passages in Ruby's book of life.

- learn from them, enjoy them, and start to heal.

The Carnegie Heritage & Arts Center is located at 110 East Vincennes St. in Linton. Regular hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Friday 9-4pmand Saturday 12-4 p.m. (call first on Sat as we use volunteers)For more information call 847-0165orwww.carnegiegreene.org.

Donna Kluesner is president and founder of the Carnegie Heritage & Arts Center of Greene County. She can be reached atwww.mcklues@gmail.com.