Our love for you gives us the strength to carry on.

7am,Friday,February 13,2009 - I watched the morning news as I do everyday before I go to work. A plane went down near Buffalo, New York. Forty nine people and one person on the ground lose their lives. Was it ice built on the wings? Questions unanswered. I did not know how that crash would touch me in a personal way at that time. Monday,February 16 - 8:25am. An email arrives from a sister Motor Maid. One of our own had lost her life on Flight 3407. A rush comes over me. I met 2 gals from New York at the 68th National Motor Maid Convention here in Columbus this past July. Could it be one of my sisters I met at convention? Another email arrives. Confirmation. Yes. It was Mary Abraham from Seneca, New york that had perished in the plane crash. I did not know Mary well. I introduced myself as she arrived at the hotel and handed her a bottle of water when she entered the hotel lobby. We spoke briefly about her journey to convention as she unpacked her bike. An hour or so passes. Another email arrives. Pictures of Mary smiling as she sits on her bike in the front of the hotel. Grinning from ear to ear as she proudly wears her Motor Maids uniform while waiting in parade formation. Mary touched many people. She will be greatly missed. Those who knew her well said she was a great motivator full of positive energy. This is how we'll remember Mary Abraham-smiling, full of life, laughing and riding her bike.

I first met Mary when I lived in Hannibal, New York, and my sister Mary Ellen brought Mary over to the house. We hit it off right away when she and I talked about my two passions, cooking and dogs. As I got to know her, I saw within her the fire and determination in what ever she tackled. I saw a lot of her, in me, when I worked a career that took you all over and the stress you were under but just kept going because that's what you do. When Mary and my sister called me from Buffalo and spoke about house renovations, going on trips and things in general, I always felt so good to know that they were happy, they were living a good life, making plans. When I still lived in New York, Mary and Mary Ellen came over to show me their custom rings that were made. I was so happy for them, they were so much in love. Mary flew all over the US for her job. She flew in Birmingham last year and drove up to Huntsville for work and stay with Mom and I. We went out to eat, talked away between Mary's getting up at 5:30am and working every day. On Thanksgiving Mary and Mary Ellen flew in and stayed with my sister Debbie and her family. What a great time we had. Mary and Mary Ellen also came over to my house with Mary asking me where my list of "to do things" were and she started in. Took down a broken cabinet and replaced a new one in Mom's bathroom, fixed a leak in my bathroom shower (she said she remembered it from staying with us), moved my guest bedroom furniture around and was like a nonstop tornado of fixing this and that. Mary was a doer, get'er done gal. When my sister told me that she was buying a motorcycle, I was at first a little apprehensive, but Mary assured me that she would have Mary Ellen take a course, watch over her and be with her every step of the way and so I knew at that point, Mary Ellen would be safe. Isn't that what you do in a relationship? Keep each other safe? On New Years, Mary Ellen called Mom and I and said they both were just staying in, having a comfortable New Years together. When Mary's birthday came, Mom and I each sent her a card. I remember Mom and I at Hallmark, taking a long time to select the perfect card for our wonderful Mary. I have met a lot of people in my life and I can say that Mary Abraham left me as a better person. Thank you Mary and I know you are still with us, looking over us and I promise I will also keep Mary Ellen "safe" as you would. I love you as a sister. Thank you for being in our lives. Carol