Betty Vicknair Fiorina...

Several days ago, I did a post called "Pour Ma Famille" (for my family)... honoring my heritage and my family members who have passed on... there is a reason for everything I believe... yesterday, my daddy's sister, Betty Vicknair Fiorina, my aunt Betty, passed away at age ninety... my aunt Betty was such a beautiful, inspiring lady in my life... Betty lived her entire life in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where my daddy was raised as well. Betty's number one priority in life was her family, as is mine... also her priority were the literally thousands of lost, stray and homeless animals she rescued throughout her lifetime, many of whom came to Utah to live with my family members. I can just picture the reunion she is having right now, not with just our family but with her little "saves" in Heaven as well, their little tails wagging in excitement seeing her once again... Betty lived her life to the fullest, just like her brother, my daddy... she had the same mischievous charm about her too... always full of fun and laughter... every summer growing up was spent staying at her home on Don Diego in Santa Fe, right next door to my grandma's house...I will always remember how my aunt Betty always had pie for dinner, it made her happy and she believed you should always do things that make you happy!...So do I!... Tonight I will eat a big piece of pie for my dear aunt. My aunt Betty accomplished so many things in her life and I am so very proud of her. Betty was Secretary of State of New Mexico in the late 50's, early 60's and 70's, and Acting Governor of the State during much of that time... she was the only person ever to serve three terms as Secretary of State of New Mexico... and at a time when women prominent in politics was not a common thing. In 2007, the State Printing Building in Santa Fe was named the Betty Fiorina State Printing Building in her honor. But to me, she was my aunt Betty, a beautiful, giving, loving soul who I always looked up to. Betty so loved her "Land of Enchantment"... today as I was going through some precious papers of mine, I came across this beautiful Hopi Prayer I saved many years ago... aunt Betty... this is for you...

Hopi Prayer

Do not stand at my grave and weep,I am not there, I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow,I am the diamond glints on snow.I am the sunlight on the ripened grain,I am the gentle Autumn's rain.When you awaken in the morning hush,I am the swift, uplifting rush,of quiet birds in circled flight,I am the soft stars that shine at night.Do not stand at my grave and cry,I am not there, I did not die.

I love you aunt Betty and like the Hopi prayer says, I know you will always be close by...