Several years ago I had the honor and privilege to meet one of the most wonderful women in the world. She was my grandmother, my mother, my sister, my friend. She was the best neighbor one could ask for.
To her, I was the Chicken Lady.
Sitting on her back patio we talked about all the things I could accomplish after moving into my new town. Her spirit was quiet but her words were powerful.
“Jennifer you can do anything you set your mind too. If you wanted to drive around the lake in a bicycle and sell chicken eggs out of your flower basket, you would do it well!”
Hence, the name was born. I was forever the Chicken Lady.
I hope you have the privilege of having someone in your life who is rooting you one like my dear friend, Barb, did for me. The time I spent with her was priceless.
I’m rooting you on! Please consider me that friend to you, too.
Be the next Chicken Lady!
Story updated June 2020.
_____
Original story March 11, 2012
I stumbled across a Facebook page today, Live Inspired. Their first posting I read was, “Live Inspired. Don’t forget to tell us about a wonderful woman in your life. See our post below and enter to win a surprise package for you and one for the woman who inspires you!” With my thoughts and emotions very raw this is what I wrote:
My neighbor, my dear dear friend, Barb… she has been such an inspiration to me as I have settled into my new home of three years now. She has opened her heart to me. She listens as I cry, laughs when I laugh, scolds me when I am out of line, supports me in pursuing my dreams… she even took on the high task of being my first client in my business, Beauty to Unveil.
She has instilled in me that whatever life’s circumstances are, no matter how difficult, I need to continue living. She is constantly encouraging me to follow my passion, to make a difference in this world.
Barb was diagnosed with stage four cancer a year ago and I can tell you, I haven’t seen someone fight like she has – and still stay in high spirits with that wide smile on her face and still that spark in her eye.
She has not given up.
Everyone has an ending I know, but as I think of her leaving this world tears stream down my face. Why does it take something like this to happen for us to rethink how we live our own lives?
Shouldn’t we all live like Barb everyday?
Every minute I have with her still I will cherish. I pray that she lives forever, in heaven and in my heart.
I love you Barb.
