The Spirit of the Heart

Janice Santos died last week, here in Worcester, at the hands of her husband. He strangled her. Her murder left her three children for others to raise.
Janice Santos was a wonderful mother, a wonderful person and a wonderful worker. I know this because early in her career she worked in our office.
Janice’s commitment to other people and her warmhearted open way was somehow so surprising given that her physical beauty was without parallel.
But all of these traits were insignificant compared to her values. She was devoted to God, to others and to her religion. But most of all, she was devoted to her family. Her sister Denise also worked in our office and she was just as engaging and caring as Janice.
It was not until the newspaper accounts of the vigil held for her that I understood where her true beauty and wondrousness came from. It was her father Fernando Santos Sr. who, having just lost his daughter at the hands of her husband, said these words about the husband who strangled his daughter Janice, “The only thing I ask is you pray for her killer, pray for him please, please pray for him,” said her father.
Where does one find and display such compassion, understanding and generosity of love and forgiveness? Where does this father and this family live in their inner most soul and existence, and beliefs, to find such caring and giving?
Why would so many of us insist on vengeance instead of kindness in a similar situation?
I do not know from where the Santos family got their disposition to understand, to care, to forgive and to find love where most of us would find only anger. But wherever it is that their beauty comes from – in their case, their religious beliefs, I would imagine – I wish we would all live in this place a lot more often than we do.
Fernando Santos Sr., Janice Santos and the Santos family have taught us why we have a heart.
The calling hours to pay respect to the Santos family are tomorrow, Wednesday, June 15 from 4-8 p.m. Mercadante Funeral Home, 370 Plantation St. The funeral service for Janice will be held Thursday, June 16 at 11 a.m. in the Iglesias de Dios "La Ultima Reserva" Church, 24 Hamilton St. Donations may be made to the Janice Santos Children’s Memorial Fund, care of any Sovereign Bank location.
This is WCRN. I am Randy Feldman.