Freedom…A Sorrowfull Farewell to LuAnne McKinney

Guess Whose Coming to Diner, a social for our church, was when I determined the perfect person for this shot.  LuAnne loved horses, and I still remember that night as we entered their house and saw a magnificent sunset overlooking their horse fields and the silhouette of a windmill.  Peaceful and welcoming, these are the traits both LuAnne and Richard exhibit.  This week we lost a dear person.  The brain tumor which was removed and seemed to have gone by the numbers ended up taking her from us so swiftly.  I remember other occasions in our church where food was a part of the day, and LuAnne would bring her strawberry trifle.  I am deathly allergic to strawberries, but it was one of the first desserts gone and my enjoyment was from seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces as they ate it.  My memories of someone who gave a smile to everyone in our church, and greeted them with a warm heart.

I entitled this piece “freedom” a long time ago.  We were on the beaches north of Currituck, a point where access can only be done with a 4 wheel drive vehicle.  We came across this group of wild horses keeping each other warm and safe from the storm that day.  Each time I look at it I immediately think of LuAnne.  Words are small and they cannot do the justice she and the family deserve.  We each handle our grief in different manners and mine has always been to write.  With this small post I want to share a glimpse into the life of a woman set free from this life and lives on in the next.  I know I and many others look forward to the day we meet again,  laugh and we all can eat strawberry trifle together.

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