my godmother died this weekend.

we used to be very close. most of my earliest memories are of her and her house. she had embroidered pillows on her couch. her pantry was always full of peaches, and she loved fresca. she had cherry tomato plants in her back yard, and i used to eat them by the handful. she had the best southern accent.

i saw her a year ago. she had cancer. her body was frail and failing, but her mind was as sharp as it ever was. i drove her back to her apartment, and before she got out of the car, she said she was proud of me and that i’d turned into a fine young man.

her obituary is here. i’m donating money in her name to the american cancer society. you should too.