The new year is not rolling in as wonderful as I had hoped it would. The morning started off wonderful. My children and I all snuggling on the couch. It was too early to fight...too early to say many words. I decided to try and make my mom's famous homemade bread today. The kids were very excited! Grandma's toast is pretty famous. It is even famous among friends of the kids. One time the kids were looking for a snack and Holden's friend said, "Hey do you have any of that grandma's toast?" Grace and I were just finishing up mixing the dough when I got a phone call from my mom. I thought she was just checking in on us to see how the bread was coming along. I could hear the frog in her throat...I asked if she was sick.

The pause and word "No" told me something was wrong.

She told me that her dearest friend in the world, the woman whose name is my middle name, my godmother, was dying. Through her tears she continued to explain that she only had about a week to live. She had leukemia and did not know it. The sickness she has had over the last month just took over her body and at the hospital they discovered the cancer.

My heart is breaking today for my mom...for Ann's family...and for all of those whose life she was a part of.

She was a good woman. She was a large part of our family's life. Ann and mom together would make us laugh! They were hilarious together.

She is mom's best friend. She has been for 48 years!!! WOW. Their friendship spans for so long. How do you say goodbye to someone who means the world to you? How do you ever fill that hole? I don't know all of mom and Ann's secrets but I do know that they had a beautiful friendship. I know of all the trips they took annually together, their scrabble wars, their long talks, their bottles of wine shared, their sleepovers we used to tease them about. I know my mom cherished her and relished their time together. One of mom's biggest excitements about moving to the farm was that her and Ann would only be 5 minutes apart. They did everything together. I am so sad that their earthly friendship is coming to an end. I know my mom's world will be changed forever. I know she will feel that horrendous sadness and aching to call her friend to share stories. It truly is devastating.

Thank goodness my mom and dad were able to get a flight out tomorrow. I just pray that they make it in time to be with her. I pray that all her children will make it in time to be with her as well. Please join me in my prayers that the goodbye, although terribly sad, will be a good one.

I love you Annabell!! From Holly Dolly (as she called me)...

In her famous words on every note and card....peace, love and prayers!!