happy 84th birthday to my {late} grandmother.

I don’t remember Mary Ann too well, or Marnan as I called her, as I was young when she passed. But she lives on through stories and hopefully will continue to live on through me and my mom. I like to think she and I were similar in several ways. For one, we’re both an Aquarius and say what you will about zodiac signs, but I think it connects us. Yesterday I read three strengths of Aquarius that I think fit us both:

helpful, inventive and witty.

She got her degree in social work from the University of Arkansas and was always looking to help others.

She was a fabulous interior decorator and could host one hell of a party.

She could be stubborn and opinionated (as can I).

She allowed dessert first because why not?

She loved to shop, Neiman’s being her favorite store, of which I apparently had many dresses from as a little girl.

She loved the outdoors and fresh flowers and farmer’s markets.

Just recently my mom found a journal Marnan kept while I was still in the womb. She had drawn a picture of my mom and her belly with me inside writing she just couldn’t wait to meet me. She also wrote she was going to call me Mille no matter what my parents finally decided on (stubborn or what?). I will forever cherish that piece of Marnan’s heart.

In loving memory of Mary Ann McLaughlin

xo xo