Dear Frances,
I am so sorry, I cannot be there on this APPRECIATION OF FRANCES COLEY DAY, but when you feel a gentle breeze, a shaft of light from the sun, or a drop of rain, please know that my family -HUGH, DEREK and I- are there with you in spirit on this glorious day.
I will never forget your genuine kindness and what a wonderful friends you were to my mother, DR ZYLPHA MAPP-ROBINSON. She always spoke so admiringly, respectfully, and lovingly about you. I was happy when I met you to learn that you did indeed live up to my mother's verbal potrait of you.
As I got to know you better, one of your humorous expressions stuck in my mind, "It's more than a notion," as Frances Coley often says. I always attribute that to you and then I chuckle admiringly.
Well, dear Frances, it was more than a notion when God created you. The world sorely needs more kind, selfless, loving, hard-working people like you to turn this world arouund. KEEP YOUR WONDERFUL, HUMANE, UNIQUE WAYS. There is only one Frances Coley, but the world is a better place because you are here.
Here is a poem, "MOTHER'S DEAR FRIEND" which I wrote about you. This is in my new book, NEW YORK AND AFRICAN TAPESTRIES.
LOVE,
JUANITA TORRENCE-THOMPSON
November 3rd, 2007
MOTHER'S DEAR FRIEND
By Juanita Torrence-Thompson
Frances,
an omnipresent rock
lined with silk,
a steadying force
when my stepfather died.
My mother broke her ankle,
but after nurse and aides left,
Frances, small yet strong,
ferried food upstairs,
shopped, ran errands,
said *Baha'i prayers with her.
Frances,
pivotal for mother's surprise birthday party
kept our long-distance secret,
--opened up her home---
rolled up her sleeves,
chopping, dicing, baking
charming us with her fresh,
enigmatic smile, sense of humor.
*The Baha'is believe in the oneness of humankind. Baha'u'llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith, brought teachings to spiritualize mankind.
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