Along the Way

Most that I know about elegance, generosity, compassion and fun I learned from Maggie. Maggie grew up the daughter of a Southerner, a cowboy and rancher, who taught her to dream even when there wasn’t time to spare. He taught her to ride a horse and have courage. She took a chance to follow her heart. She went to college. She fell in love. She answered, “nothing at all, nothing at all,” when I wondered as a young child about the difference between the two drinking fountains labeled white and colored. She taught the history of Oklahoma focusing on its Native Americans and the Trail of Tears. She grew herbs and made yogurt. She liked to hula hoop and play on the beach. I liked that she’d forgo cleaning and laundry to hang out with her kids. Taking time to fashion a chic party dress out of an ugly bridesmaid gown for me, she’d throw together something stunning for her evening out and looking radiant, dash out the door with her nails still wet.

Maggie, my mother, died 5 years ago  .
on a cold January morning. She dreamed of summer her 93 years.