Do you believe in angels?

I do, because I've had the honor of meeting a rare few in my life. They took the form of regular people, with human weaknesses and frailties. Some people could never see beyond their human characteristics to witness the endless capacity for love, the courage, the conviction, the passion.

Rosemary Heflin was one of those angels. Today she has gone back to the heavens. We have lost an angel here on earth, but perhaps gained a guardian for all eternity.

Although born into abandonment and abuse, she had an infinite capacity for love and loyalty, empathy and compassion.

Although she dropped out of school as a teenager to become a mother and wife, she helped to write the unique law that governs Bellevue to this day, and became the unquestionable authority on matters of law and procedure in the borough. She never touched a computer -- or even a typewriter -- but wrote beautiful letters to family, friends and the people of Bellevue.

She used charm and humor to influence people from all walks of life. And when that didn't work, she showed those who underestimated her the passion, strength and courage of her convictions.

Rose never had a problem telling right from wrong. There were no gray areas when it came to doing the right thing. She accepted no excuses from public officials who forgot where they came from and got carried away by what they perceived as power.

In future years, the officials who govern Bellevue will do so in chambers now named in honor of the woman whose courage, intelligence and compassion set the bar for all who would follow. They would do well to learn her legacy, and follow her spirit.

Because if Rosie ever gets her hands on the lightning bolts, there's going to be hell to pay.