McBlog

Many years ago Mother, who always liked bright colors, bought a new winter coat. It was brilliant red. She always loved that coat, and after her death, I couldn't bear to part with it. Her funeral was on a very cold and rainy day in January. In a strange way, I found comfort in wearing her bright red coat to her funeral to say my final good-bye.

Fast-forward six years. Becky goes consignment shopping and a red coat catches her eye. She tries it on. It fits, and it reminds her of her grandma, so nothing would do but for her to take it home.

When she was here at Thanksgiving we took pictures of each other wearing Grandma's red coat and commented how fun it would be if all of Mother's female descendants could have a picture made wearing her favorite red coat. Then my brother mentioned that he could take the coat with him when he visits our sister, and his daughters and granddaughters at Christmas. Next thing you know, I created the Sisterhood of Grandma's Traveling Coat and mailed out the following invitation.

You have been deemed worthy of membership in the prestigious society of the Sisterhood of Grandma's Traveling Coat, also known as The RedCoat Society. The sacred red coat will soon be in your city, and the only requirement for membership in the prestigious society of the Sisterhood of Grandma's Traveling Coat is that you have your picture made wearing said coat in the required pose of left arm extended in a friendly greeting. Next, you must e-mail said photo to this address to be published on the Sisterhood's blog. Enclosed is a photo of the founding mother of the Sisterhood and its charter members. For further information, you may reply to this email or phone 555-555-5555.

I will post photos of new members of Sisterhood of Grandma's Traveling Coat as they are mailed to me. Stay tuned!