Rochelle (Shelley) Cocke

I am only one

But still I am one

I cannot do everything

But still I can do something

And because I cannot do everything

I will not refuse to do something 

I can do.

Edward Everett Hale

I did not plan a life of service to others (school librarian, criminal justice social worker, and now, hopefully, a chaplain). I am living the last phase of my life, as a grateful elder. As has been written, “I look backward to understand and forward to live.” I have learned, as our Reform prayerbook says “Live not by our fears, but by our hopes.” Sometimes, I have allowed my fears to get the better of me, but I have faced those fears and strove to manage a forward path.

I want to thank my pastoral educators and the members of my cohorts. We laughed and wept together.

I want to thank the patients and families, and staff I encountered during my internship, humbled by their courage and belief in the preciousness of life.

I want to thank my teachers and the students I have travelled with in Aleph. I am so grateful for dedicated leadership and dear friends. I did not think it would take nearly seventy years to fulfill my dream of becoming a clergy person-this experience has been a challenge and a gift.

I want to thank my extended family for always being interested in what I was “up to next.”

I want to thank my husband, Perry and our daughters Abby and Miriam. You three have taught me what love is. It hardly suffices to say I would not be here without your support.

You carried me through nights and days of classes. You listened and critiqued and edited my assignments. You encouraged me when I was discouraged and celebrated with me at my achievements.

You believed in me, and I can only hope, as I go forward in joy, that I have returned your love in reaching this day.