My inspiration, Katie Mae…

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 

The eternal light, the light shining in the darkness. The light firing my soul. It is this light that inspires me to grow as a Christian, as a wife and even as a daughter. The fire inspiring me comes from a lady named

Katie Mae.

I will be honest, this is the hardest blog to write. I have tried writing many times in my head and nothing seemed to fit. This lady was more than wonderful, she was one of my best friends and not to mention my great-grandmother. As I am typing, tears are running down my face. By no means am I trying to make this an emotional post. The goal is to show you my inspiration and why One Fat Dove is what it is.

From her, I learned to love the sweet little things.

If you can envision the perfect southern belle, she would be it. A good Christian lady who was stubborn in her ways. Church followers would obsess over the new outfit she put together. Lipstick on check and Obsession perfume spritzed. She would sing church choir, often volunteer at nursing homes or teach bible study. When not at church, she would come home to the love of her life, Frank.

Listening to stories of Frank and Katie Mae, made me learn the true meaning of having a soul mate.  They were a couple who loved with their whole heart. Their life wasn’t a fairy tale with extravagant things. They had each other. A house was made into a home where they grew a family to have for generations. This is what I would love to have as my husband, Shawn and I try to grow our family. This is our light.

Katie Mae was with me for 24 years. She witnessed my happy moments and she was there for my sad. She often let me cry in her lap or let me help knit her newest creation.  For 15 years, she lived with my family and I; honestly couldn’t have imagined it any other way. I could always count on her to have Extra Peppermint gum stashed in her designer purse. The night before Thanksgiving will always be remembered as an exciting time. Katie would prep her famous yeast rolls that no one can replicate. After school, we would talk about our day having meaningful conversations with some inappropriate moments. The memories I have with her are so strong and will forever carry with me.

My childhood will be remembered going to her house. She would take my brother, mom and I to Reid’s Orchard as we would pick strawberries. We would roam through the greenhouse and plant the most beautiful flowers. Katie would give my brother and I animal feed to feed the goats. As she watched, she would buy peaches and candy. After each visit, there would be a pit stop to Frank’s grave. A new flower arrangement would be in hand as she would look and say, “Look who came to see you Frank.”

Simple but forever remembered.

To my pretty lady: Katie, I will forever carry you in my heart. I promise to carry your joy through One Fat Dove as it is inspiring me to grow.  The little things in my life, have become the greatest blessings. It is what drives me to do better everyday. I will carry your name to help me follow with my heart and lead by grace. These moments I will forever cherish with your eternal light.

Love you bushels,

ONE FAT DOVE