Since our first meeting back in the early '00's I found myself drawn to Donna Kristal. It would have happened anyway, as her fun loving, affirming, encouraging personality is naturally attractive, but the fact that she was my high school classmate's mother slipped her into that "could be my mother" category. Probably the fact that I met her shortly after becoming motherless added to the bond but it was not until just before my wedding that she officially became my "Mama Donna".
It happened during a phone call, she probably called to check how I was doing with wedding plans, as that is a typical call she would have made. During our discussion the fact came up that I was getting married without my mother being present. With compassion and understand flowing through the phone line she offered to stand in for my mom during the wedding. Although there weren't any outward changes that others would have recognized over the next two weeks there was a turning that allowed Donna to step into a special place in my heart where I could claim her has my "Momma Donna".
She was then, and has continued to be an encouraging spirit when the rain clouds come.
It was to this relationship that I was welcomed to Michigan last month. Because of a busy schedule and family responsibilities I passed up staying with my BFF Grace in exchange for a less conveniently located but beautiful retreat-like stay at Momma Donna's beautiful home on Wixom Lake.
It was a delightful week of country walks, aroma therapy, sharing green smoothie recipes, eating raw breakfast cereal together and praying with friends who came to visit. What a blessing it has been to have a "Momma Donna" in my life.
This photo I took especially for Amy....
I wanted you to see Donna's birch tree hat rack.
