remembering

I am sitting here listening to the wind howl and the pecans hitting the tin roof thinking about two very special women in my life.  Once is my mother Janice Stafford who was born on this day in 1933.  Mama was my hero and always proud of me whatever I did.  I am making her dressing recipe for Thanksgiving that she inherited from her mother in law Lottie.  Mama was the hostess with the mostest always and foremost.  Everybody loved her and admired her skills that included party planning and writing.  She managed to make every occasion special complete with holiday themed napkins, plates and table decorations.  I wish I could say that I inherited her organizational skills, but no.  I do, however, look just like her!

My dear friend Lorna Donaldson went to heaven last night surrounded by her family.  I first met her some 20 or so years ago and we became soul sisters immediately.  We shared a love of nature and growing things and clung to each other during hard times.  I had given her my daddy's ag books some time before he died, and she lit a candle on them as he was passing over.  I knew when I saw that beautiful full moon that her time was near because every time I have lost someone dear to me, it was preceded by a full moon and a deer.  She was a pioneer in the field of organic farming like her father and taught many folks all over the country how to straw bale garden and grow food free of pesticides.  She was never quite the same after the death of her daughter Hazen and I am so happy to think about their heavenly reunion.  I'll bet there's some serious joy going on.

I say "I love you" a lot.  It makes some people uncomfortable but that's just who I am because I realize that the chance that I have to say it in person may be the last.  You just never know.  

As always, keep the faith ^j^