"Never met a person I didn't like."

My Mom had a most magnetic personality. She had only to catch some one's eye, and speak "Hello". She was known for her beautiful voice. Soft and melodic with just a trace of North Carolina. I can't tell you how many times I watched people draw themselves nearer to her to see what she would say next. She was a very intelligent person and could carry on a conversation about anything. Being as observant as she was, she could also sum a person's character up with one glance. This happened one day at her "hang out" Roy Rogers. After my father's passing my mother no longer cared to cook meals for herself and took to having lunch with other "regulars" at Roy Rogers. This use to embarrass me to no end when I needed to speak with her. I would call Roy Rogers and ask for her by name! All of the workers knew and loved her. She sat in the same booth everyday, drank her coffee, visited, and read. I would bring my small children there to visit her sliding into the booth across from her hoping that she wouldn't draw anyone to us. I wasn't very lucky on one particular visit.
I could see my mother looking over my shoulder at the people waiting in line. An older gentleman in a baseball cap and jacket who looked like a truck driver walked towards us with coffee and a sandwich. There wasn't anything outstanding about his looks, but my mother called out to him, "Come, sit here with us. You look like you're a long way from home." He graciously accepted. "What brings you here?" my mother asked. The gentleman replied, "My sister lives in the area and is suffering from a bout of depression. I am hoping I can find some type of art therapy for her that I have been reading about to help her feel better." My mother became very animated, "Well, that is what I do now. I have started an art therapy program at our local Senior Citizen's Center. I would be happy to meet with your sister and tell her about my work." Names and numbers were exchanged. Gracious thank yous from the gentleman as he rose to leave. My mother touched his arm, "Would you mind terribly signing your autograph for my grandson?" she pointed to my son. She slid across her tray liner and a pen. "How did you know?" he chuckled. " A truck driver doesn't wear a Rolex watch to Roy Rogers unless he IS Roy Rogers."


My mother made use of art therapy with older individuals long before it became common practice. Again she would tell me that art connects you to a person's soul. Just simple child like art projects would bring such joy to individuals who may have lost their ability to communicate.