That is my friend Laura and me our senior year in high school.  Laura's mother, Ellen Taylor passed away last weekend.  Her funeral mass is this morning.  I have wonderful memories of Laura's mom - she was perpetually upbeat.  Mrs. Taylor was a woman who suffered various health issues throughout her life.   She was diabetic and experienced various heart complications.  I'm not exactly sure on what type of surgeries and procedures she underwent - but I remember her trips to the hospital as Laura and I were growing up.

To me, Mrs. Taylor has become somewhat of an inspiration.  I saw her at the grocery store last summer before my surgery.  I told her about my visit to the emergency room that past April and my trepidations about my upcoming surgery.  Our conversation was very positive and she was encouraging with her stories of her own experiences and what a strong women she knew me to be.  I later told Laura I thought of that encounter as a sign from God - to show me how someone with larger health challenges than I can survive, be happy and live life to its' fullest.

My heart goes out to the Taylor family - Laura and Tim, Peter, Tim and Brigid, and Mr. Taylor.  May God's unending love blanket them with comfort and strength. 

God bless, Michelle