THE CHRISTMAS THINGS YOU DO ALL YEAR

If you read our post "Christmas With Aunt Jo," you know that the Bullis family's Christmas celebrations were not as elaborate as those of most of their neighbors.  However, they were a kind and basically generous family.

Nettie Bullis exemplified these traits with the $12.3 million bequest she left to her community.  As a result, many individuals and organizations in Wayne County have benefitted  from that generosity (and continue to do so). This reminds us of two lines in the song, "The Secret of Christmas," which read:

"It's not the things you do, at Christmas time

But the Christmas things you do all year through"

Just as important as her monetary gifts to others - and maybe more so - Nettie Bullis consistently showed kindness to all of those she met during her lifetime. Her colleagues at Gleason Works noted that she mentored younger workers at that institution, where she served as Private Secretary and Private Assistant to President James Gleason.  Among neighbors and others who met her, Miss Bullis had a reputation for being very non-threatening, approachable and  kind. If someone needed help, she would be there, doing those Christmas things, all the year through. 

Our community is a better place because of Nettie Bullis and her "Christmas things." And for that, we once again say a sincere, "Thank you."

THINKING ABOUT NETTIE BULLIS

A couple of weeks ago,  the Bullis Committee cancelled its monthly meeting because of a blizzard that roared through Wayne County. Since local authorities advised against traveling by car, we felt justified in taking this action.

However, we later wondered how Nettie Bullis would have handled that situation.  And our conclusion was that  - given her determination and sense of duty - she may well have said, "Well, there's more than one way to travel," then pulled on her snow boots, bundled up, and walked the 2 miles from her home on Canandaigua Road to the library.

As we remember Miss Bullis on her birthday, let's also recall some of the other qualities that made her such a special woman: her generosity, loyalty, respect of education, and business acumen.

Nettie Bullis made a lasting impression on those who knew her and she continues to influence the rest of us through the legacies she left the citizens of Wayne County. Once again we say, "Thank you, Miss Bullis."