What Would Dawn Do?

PERIVIER, Dawn Age 54, of Atlanta, passed away April 20, 2015. Services May 5, 3PM, Shallowford Presbyterian Church.
Dawn Perivier was a truly remarkable woman.  I was honored to be counted among her many, many friends.

One comment I heard repeatedly during the weeks following the funeral was that Dawn had set the Bar high and we are now challenged to live up to the standard set for us.  That is one of the reasons I titled this blog with “what would Dawn do?

Her accomplishments are many and the pain and disappointment that cancer brought her in the final days can never erase her life well lived.   Adopted as a baby, raised in a good home with a wonderful sister and parents, Dawn blossomed.   While she did have to face discrimination when she entered high school here in the 70’s, she truly did not let that stop her.  By the time she graduated, she had won the other student over and was given an award by the students making it all the more important.

The bar she set is simple but high:

She was a devoted wife and mother, sister, daughter.
She was a friend with a smile and a generous spirit who gave every one encouragement.
She never gossiped about anyone.
She even discussed politics in a calm and reasoned way (I need to learn that skill).
She was a caring and compassionate anesthetist.
She was passionate about life, loved the Lord.  Her parents were missionaries who taught her well
She supported her children in all of their academic and sports activities. She was deeply involved in their lives and arranged her working schedule to spend more time with them.

The bottom line here is that many of us left that service on May 5th wanting to be like Dawn. We want to have that same connection with our family and our friends.  To leave a legacy that is good, and pure and honest and that will inspire others.