“The Help”. To me, “Pure Love”.

Katherine Engleman

I was raised in a small town in WA state, but my mother was from North Carolina with strong southern roots. Mom and Dad had three babies three years in a row and ultimately moved west, bringing “Eveline” with them to help. Eveline stayed with us in WA for a few years but ultimately when I was about 6, she returned to the east coast to be with her family. She called us “Love Bugs”, I loved her endlessly, and I cried and cried when she left. The attached picture is during one of my visits not long after I graduated from the Naval Academy. During our last visit shortly before she died, Eveline said she had a dream about the man I was dating and warned me to stay away because he was evil. Turns out she was right. 😉

Years later, I read the book “The Help” and I wept, recognizing what her relationship with my parents really was. I’d give anything to be able to talk with Eveline now. Mom tells me she had a daughter before she was with us. I don’t know her daughter’s name but it makes me profoundly sad to think that Eveline was with us instead of her own daughter. I’d give anything to find her daughter. . . So much to say, and more importantly, so much to hear and learn.


What is your 6-Word Story?