hi barb ~
awesome. glad you had her in your life when you needed her. and care packages "good mail" from/to your favorite people ... that's just the best! i eat those up.

lucky you knew her.

blessings, beany
so grateful to be Mormon | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 2:28 am | #

I loved reading about Ellen. How lucky you were to have her there for you!
Sheri | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 7:38 am | #

Ellen sounds like she was a very special woman. I am so glad you had her in your life! A woman like that will surely be missed.
Julie | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 7:58 am | #

It's good to hear the details of your bond with Ellen and I really get it. I had a similar home life and my dear friends' family often took me in as a reprieve. The dad passed away a few years ago and the mom is now 87 and her health is failing- I am so grateful for having had them in my life! Glad you were able to share!
tenakim | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 7:59 am | #

If only everyone who needed a 2nd family had one... The idealist in me hopes they do.
Mrs.4444 | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 8:20 am | #

At first I was jealous that I didn't have an Ellen, but then I decided that maybe I could BE an Ellen for someone else ??
Caution | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 8:50 am | #

Ellen sounds like she really was a special person. I'm glad you had her in your life and I'm sorry about her passing.
sari | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 9:07 am | #

She sounds like a very special woman. You seem to have had a couple of remarkable women in your life What a sweet tribute to her.
scary mommy | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 11:15 am | #

That is a very sweet post! I hope after I pass on I will have made such a positive impact in their life as she did with you.

Lovely memories!!!
Z's Mom | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 2:22 pm | #

Beautifully written. How lucky you are to have had her!
Colleen - Mommy Always Wins | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 2:37 pm | #

Scary Mommy, you're right; I have been blessed to have more than a few strong, inspiring women in my life. I have an entire post planned for that, too

Yes, Caution, that's my plan, too!
Half-Past Kissin' Time | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 5:21 pm | #

What a blessing to have someone like that in your life!
janethesane | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 9:34 pm | #

Oh boy. Painful to read about dad, but so glad that you had that family! Truth hurts sometimes, and while I know that stuff to be so true, one of my first instincts is to want to tell folks some good things about dad, but that is not the point here and I am sure that they can guess that he did have some good ones. Thanks for being so transparent, and "Way to go Ellen!"
geri | 08.05.08 - 10:15 pm | #

Ellen sounds like she was a wonderful woman. I am really close to my mom's best friend and consider her my second mom. It is such a blessing to have someone like that in your life! Thanks for sharing your story!
Jessica | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 10:35 pm | #

I hear you, Geri. Thanks for understanding.
Mrs.4444 | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 10:42 pm | #

I truly enjoyed reading this story. What a wonderful experience she gave you with her unconditional love. It's a good reminder for all of us to reach out to others more.
Stacia | Homepage | 08.05.08 - 10:51 pm | #

I'm sorry your friend, Ellen, passed away. She sounds like a great friend.
Daddy Forever | Homepage | 08.06.08 - 1:28 am | #

Everybody needs an Ellen, I am so glad you found each other.

xoxox
Danielle | Homepage | 08.06.08 - 3:33 am | #