A Toast to my Godmother Sally Dixon

Sally with her 8 Great GOD Children, the Otis Kids Jan 2012

My Godmother Sally is turning 80 this year and she has been a wonderful source of light in my life. I use her quote that I believe was her mother's almost daily, "The truth will suffice." 

After college I started working as an assistant to the executive of a nonprofit organization and was brought into the busy pace of office life before I even graduated. I remember the hectic transition and taking time weekly to meet with Sally and read psalms together. We shared a simple meal, often fasting beforehand and would read and talk about the verses. It was a bit of a spiritual cocoon for me, a time to nourish my spirit quietly in communion with a gentle guide.

I am often poked fun at good-naturedly for my optimism, or for my desire to see a positive around something difficult and I see that so deeply in Sally. Where is the beauty in a person, how can we turn this experience into dance or into art? Is God not with all people, is there not true goodness in all things? I have not seen Sally turn against the dark or reject difficulty but rather take it on with enthusiasm. 

Now I only wish in our time together I had learned all Sal's tricks in the kitchen! So my dear Sally this blog is a toast to you, you have lived your 80 years beautifully, forgiving, dancing and creating. I hope to see you dance well into your 90s. 

Here is psalm 61 we memorized together in 2000: 

Psalm 61

Hear my cry, O God;

listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you,

I call as my heart grows faint;

lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge,

a strong tower against the foe.

I long to dwell in your tent forever

and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.  

Love,

Deirdre