Cherrie was born the day after Christmas and never liked that fact because she always felt forgotten.  Her grandmother never forgot though and would always pull her aside, away from the bustle of the holiday, and give her a special present.  But my mother wouldn't settle for anything and decided to change her special day to June 26th.  So all her children and those close to her celebrate her then and some also the day after Christmas.  I love her so and like her, don't need an excuse to celebrate two birthdays a year.

I chose the word "Life".  My mother gave me life, nurtured me my whole life, and inspired so much in me and how I created my own life.  She also was so full of life herself.  She always knew how to live it up and enjoy herself. She was vivacious and a life-long learner of art, literature and spirituality.  I am grateful to have shared so much of my life with her.

I chose this rock because of the sun's rays peaking from behind the tree. Thank you Beth Regula for painting the beautiful rocks.

What was the word you chose?

I could probably tell a lot of stories about my sister but I'll settle on a couple of little ones. I was struggling trying to think about something funny, because this whole thng is not very funny to me with the cancer and all. So I was talking about it with my oldest daughter Shannon and she said "Oh I can think of a lot of things!" So she rattled off a barage of Cherrie stories. I'll share a little of it  with you.

You see, Cherrie wanted us to remember the good things and the lite hearted things and the funny things when thinking about her.  Like the on going argument about the bakery next to our first house in Savannah on East 34th.  We've gone round and round for years about the donuts.  She insists that it was a Krispy Kreme, which it was not, and she insists that at a minimum, they sold Krispy Kreme Donuts, which they didn't. The truth is that she just got it wrong this time. The bakery was the Bon Ton (which is no longer there) and the donuts were their own recipe. I should know because I ate 'em by the dozens. So, Sis, you're just going to have to give it up and admit I'm right.

Shannon also reminded me of the slides that you took in Greece that we all had to watch...thousands of them, it seemed. We haven't seen that many heads cut off since the French Revolution. Aim higher, Sis.  For an artist with your talents, it's hard to believe you could be so challenged by a viewfinder on a camera.

Shannon also recalled your facination with Fung Shuay (sp?).  You know that's lost on me...I'm just a bear with furniture, but you were surely into it. Let's also not forget the time that we took you to get your first tattoo at the Dark Side Tattoo Parlor.  I know that you didn't really do that but all your Facebook friends believe it...thanks to you loving sister-in-law Jackie. 

Well, we had your "Changing Planes Party" on Saturday.  It was a huge success but I'm sure you knew that already cause I know you were there. Your kids threw a fabulous party; in fact they did a lot of fabulous things while you were sick. You should be proud. They put their own lives on hold to make it as easy on you as possible.  Rachel and Cynthia made multiple trips covering thousands of miles; Lisa was always there taking business even though she had two teenagers to raise, a house to sell and a husband living in another city on a new job. No stress there.  And Ted.  What more can I say?  He was always hovering over you, working out of your house, taking time off of a high stress job to care for you.  Let's not forget your friends, Janet making multiple trips from Dallas to Cherrie-sit and Kathy doing the same from the home base of Charleston, where you were planning to move.  You were blessed indeed.

Back to the party, it was just like you wanted it. Great food, fun and fellowship.  It had everything...except you. We all love you Sis.