Mary Julia Abraham Tribute

7am,Friday,February 13,2009 - I watched the morning news as I do everyday before I go to work.
A plane went down near Buffalo, New York. Forty nine people and one person on the ground lose their lives.
Was it ice built on the wings? Questions unanswered.
I did not know how that crash would touch me in a personal way at that time.
Monday,February 16 - 8:25am. An email arrives from a sister Motor Maid. One of our own had lost her life on Flight 3407.
A rush comes over me.
I met 2 gals from New York at the 68th National Motor Maid Convention here in Columbus this past July.
Could it be one of my sisters I met at convention?
Another email arrives. Confirmation.
Yes. It was Mary Abraham from Seneca, New york that had perished in the plane crash.
I did not know Mary well. I introduced myself as she arrived at the hotel and handed her a bottle of water when she entered the hotel lobby. We spoke briefly about her journey to convention as she unpacked her bike.
An hour or so passes. Another email arrives. Pictures of Mary smiling as she sits on her bike in the front of the hotel. Grinning from ear to ear as she proudly wears her Motor Maids uniform while waiting in parade formation.
Mary touched many people. She will be greatly missed. Those who knew her well said she was a great motivator full of positive energy.
This is how we'll remember Mary Abraham-smiling, full of life, laughing and riding her bike.