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Angels and Ashes by Laura Ann McClay is in heaven
1/30/2007 6:19:00 PM
by Everett Beal
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| A dear friend whom I never met was an angel after all.I only have a memory and her book.Beautiful story to cherish. |
Angels and Ashes by Laura Ann McClay
An angel I never met but I wrote quite often.I knew she had to be an angel for she told me she would not have too much time left in her life.At first I tried to change her mind, that I didn't want to hear that any more.
Our first book we wrote came out about the same time even though we had different publishers.How we got to know each other convinced me that she was an angel.
From time to time I had no idea whether I had lost her or not? But when we connected I listened as I was gaining more and more respect for her and was convinced she really will be going to heaven soon.
Beaufort,South Carolina is the harbour town she lived in and the story I am going to tell you I cherish:
There was a small cafe or coffee shop and meeting place for all the locals to eat breakfast, read the morning paper and sneak a peek at the rich folks who sailed their vessel down the Inland Waterways from Maine on down to Florida and over to the Bahamas.
My dear friend Laura normally did not feel like getting on her bike with her saddlebags full of books and survival medicine.For many years this was her activity each morning as her husband was a marine officer and she did not see him too often.
It got to be where the sailing folks tied up their craft and strolled to the coffee shop, always wondered if Laura would be there to autograph another book? They obviously were aware that she really had to be an angel and always made a purchase of her books to take on their sail boat to see where she was coming from and if she was on her way to heaven?She told me how she wondered where her books would end and could just see them being stored with the gear on those beautiful boats.
The coffee shop loved to see Laura there at her usual table as she was great for business.Her breakfast came free and coffee as desired.She never told me the name of the cafe but I always wished I could pick a morning to meet her there and have a book signing together.
My angel moved on and I never heard from her again.One of her folks wrote me and thanked me for being such a dear friend of hers.I assumed I would never see her headquarters so all I had was her wonderful book she gave me.
She autographed;
To Everett and Judy Beal Think kind thoughts Speak gentle words Live ! Smile!
It ain't over yet.It does get better. Southern Winds arrived on the scene so we took off for the Atlantic Coast at the GA/FL line.The St Marys River is the borderline of each state.Talk about shrimp and fresh seafood.WOW !
Thru the centuries there were six flags flown over this section.We went down town looking for a place to eat breakfast.We noticed at St Marys a Presbyterian Church.It was quaint, old and very impressive.
Just down the street and across there was a small coffee shop and a wonderful breakfast.Whispers was the name, the breakfasts were wonderful and the waitress when we asked about the church down the street, walked us over to the front corner of the cafe to meet the preacher and his family.
Before we knew it we all were walking to the church. The preacher pushed open the front door and I said, "Don't you lock the door?"
"Oh no sir, this church is two hundred years old and never had a lock on the front door."
Whispers owner sat with us the next morning while I shared the angels story about Beaufort.When I finished the lady had tears running down her cheeks and insisted that I return to fulfill my dream of book signings. This shop by the way is only two blocks from the marina where sail boats and yachts take their breaks for a few nights, and eat at the best of the best seafood restaurants in the country.Langs is right on the water and Mr.Lang also owns the ferries that run back and fourth to Cumberland Island.
We enjoyed two years promoting my books and playing golf.It was time for us to move on up the Atlantic seaboard and get started on another book. May God bless Laura Ann McCLay and I am sure she is sailing on one of those beautiful spinnakers around the islands autographing her books.I am happy that I located Whispers when I did as when we left it burned down.The memories linger on and one day I shall meet another angel. Sincerely, Everett Beal Rph author of Fatal Addiction and Southern Winds
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Angels and Ashes by Laura Ann McClay
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