Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I met you at a time in my life when I felt lost. I needed and wanted more, but was too young to know just what was missing. I was adjusting to a new normal, life with my grandmother, when Miriam invited me to church. I remember her introducing me, Shannan and Courtney to you, Pastor Davis as well as a slew of other members that Sunday. However, you were the one that stood out. You were the one that hugged me and made me feel right at home. Thank You!

The three of us (Me, Shan and Court) were always together and I often times felt like one of the trio, but not around you. You made sure to treat each of us as individuals and that was exactly what I needed at that time in my life. Thank You! It’s crazy because as much as my family tried to shelter me from my reality, I felt like the whole world knew my secret and I felt like people felt the need to coddle me or hold me to a lesser standard because they felt “sorry” for me. Not you. You were one of the few people (outside of my family) that didn’t treat me like I had a scarlet letter on my forehead. You treated me like the kid that I was and I’m forever grateful.

Fast forward 15 years. I was now an adult. I had recently graduated from college and was asked to come dance at your church. I hadn’t seen you in at least 10 years, a lot had changed, but your kind, sweet spirit remained the same. You still welcomed me with your beautiful smile and warm hug just as you had done when I was a kid and again I felt at home. Thank you! Thank you for making being a Christian look good. A lot of times, we as children thought of Christian women as boring and plain. Not you, your hair was always done, your face always beat (Mary Kay) and your clothes were always tastefully current. Thank you for setting the standard on how a woman of God should carry herself. Thank you for being the first “first lady” that I looked up too. You are simply phenomenal and I know I’m the woman I am today, because I had you praying for me when I couldn’t pray for myself.

Thank You

  
PS- I tried to find a throwback picture, but ummm yeah, the more I think about it, I was a touched child and had to grow into my looks 🙂 so we’re going to let those pictures stay right where they are LOL