When I started blogging, I had selfish reasons. To build a fan base, my agent said. For exposure, he said. To catch the eye of an interested publisher, he repeated.

So I began this little blog but I didn’t realize who I would meet along the way. What started as a PR tool has become a circle of friends, a net to catch me when I fall.

Thanks to all of you who have commented and emailed me in the last two days. It was a sad funeral, one that I hope never repeats itself in my lifetime. The only funny thing that happened, which as you know I try to find humor in EVERYTHING, was the woman who sat behind me. Either she read the bottle wrong or the stopper fell out because that body spray had a four foot radius and could disinfect three surgical suites. During the musical portion of the funeral, she tapped me on the shoulder.

“Could you move to the right, please? I can’t see.”

See what? The casket was closed, the song was instrumental, and the piano was on the far side of the stage. Of course, I moved but then I heard her mumble to her 75 year old friend:

“I can’t see past that hair of hers.”

Now this is where my friend Laurie is laughing at me from Heaven. My hair wasn’t big, especially by Texas standards, just a simple french twist. I smoothed it down after hearing this comment, which only elicited this:

“She could comb it out and it still wouldn’t do any good.”

It never fails, the cranky retired English teachers will always find me.

The Powells felt your prayers and thoughts today as did I. Laurie will not be forgotten, her children will continue to learn of their mother’s wonderful faith and love for them, and her husband will be surrounded by friends for the lonely times ahead.

Because my cup runneth over with friends, I can help them and us with the healing that has to begin. Thanks to all of you.