REMEMBERING MISS RAYRAY...

REMEMBERING MISS RAYRAY...

Rachel, dear

Sister, daughter, aunty, teacher, friend

Although you were not a mother - yet you mothered

Not a parent  - yet you nurtured and cared

Rare was the day when a child was not on your lap

Or hanging from your arm, or clinging around your neck.

No matter the age group, when in doubt about cooking - or anything else, for that matter -

"Miss Rayray, what's the best temperature for...?"..."Miss Rayray, how do you make?."

Many a time the Tab phone would be busy with you at the other end, answering, caring, suggesting, instructing.

Because, you see, Miss Rayray you were like a walking Encyclopedia ... ready with a practical explanation on how to make something, how to can something, how to knit something, how to arrange a meal, or put together a wedding, seating guests,

no matter if it was small or more involved, you had an answer or a solution for any occasion... how did you do it? I have no clue ... you just did ... it was your special gift.

Will you be knitting shawls to keep the angels' wings warm?

Will you be organizing and hosting banquets and events "up there" too?...making sure everybody has an assigned seat, the place settings are just right, the center pieces on the tables just where they should be ...the meals and their courses just so ... and while you're at it - perhaps putting an unruly cherub or two in their place...

When I needed someone to accompany May to Ireland, I thought of you because I knew you were Best Buds and I knew that May would be safe and sound with you. You irradiated stability, practicality and common sense all wrapped up in a package of just plain joy and a zest for living.

When you lived across from our cabin and my kids were not at home I knew they were probably watching movies and eating snacks at your place! They loved to hang out with you, especially when I became busy with Rob's therapy, you filled in where I could not. It came natural to you, I did not have to make any special arrangements with you, you just did it...

- because that's the kind of person you were -

Thanks so much for teaching my children at school and making my girls the accomplished cooks they are today - I could never have done it! You taught them down through the years, like so many more ... instilling strong work ethics  and putting your spark for life and love of knowledge into each one you nurtured….

Rayray, when I first heard I wanted to say: " WAAAAIT, NOOO, YOU CAN'T GO!..."

....I want to spend more time with you and chat with you some more and hear your belly laugh again...what about that elusive cup of tea we were gonna share...

Rayray, you leave us with a big hole in our hearts and lives, which cannot be filled because you were so unique…I can't explain how you became intrinsically enmeshed in the fabric of ALL our lives…

but you dId…

and you ARE

even though I know you are making the halls of heaven ring with that laughter of yours -  and that makes me smile - …still…

you gotta admit...

you played a fast one on us pal ... we were not prepared.

We will never forget you..

Your colleague and friend

Gri