Purple Splashes and Red Hats that do not Go!

Life has really been in the fast lane for the last few weeks. I'll be writing again daily in a few days. Shane is in the hospital and has been recovering over the past few weeks. He will be out in a few days and we will be back to telling our stories and keeping you updated on what's happening on the Square.

Today, I only want to share this with you in Memory of my Mom, Nina Kay Warrick. She lived her life in ways that people did not necessarily understand. She was much wiser than most of us. We cling to security, our jobs, our daily lives, our lists of things to do...and sometimes we forget what is important. It's okay to responsible and take care of everything and tackle the "to do list"...but what my Mom taught me was to remember to "wear purple"...a great lesson from the poem that I have attached below. If we grow old and we never add purple splashes in our daily lives, then I believe our hearts might be sad. Live life, love it and have fun while you are at it...9 years ago, I read this poem at my Mom's funeral hoping that those present would see a glimpse of her wisdom. I place it here for you today, so that you may keep this in your heart and consider wearing purple in your life so you can experience the joy in the journey. I miss her so much and this year is especially difficult for some reason. My heart aches for her, but I know she is dancing in heaven with my Dad and she paints the sunrise and sunset with splashes of purple on very special days.

When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple

When I am old I shall wear Purple!

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple--

with a red hat which doesn't go

and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on

brandy, summer gloves and satin sandals,

and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on pavement when I am tired

and gobble up samples in shops

and press alarm bells

and run with my stick along public railings,

and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

and pick flowers from other peoples gardens

and learn to spit!

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

and eat three pounds of sausages at ago,

or only bread and pickles for a week,

and hoard pens and pencils

and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

and pay our rent

and not swear in the street,

and set a good example for the children.

We must have friends for dinner

and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me

are not too shocked and surprised

when suddenly I am old

and start to wear purple!

--Jenny Joseph

In Memory of Nina Kay Warrick

March 26, 1944- June 18, 2000