My mama has been gone from this life for 21 years, but I still remember the sound of her beautiful voice – the precious loving tones, her endearing laugh and her quiet words of encouragement and direction. Her voice was strong, sure and protective. She was the molding force throughout my childhood and early adulthood, and it was her words that guided me then and still speak clearly to me now. It is without doubt her voice I most often hear when I need to reach back and grab hold of courage, incomparable love, calm and strength.