A day with Claudia

I am blessed to have a wonderful, dear friend by the name of Claudia Thurman.  She is a mentor, coach, guide and is always willing to give me a kick in the backside when I need it.  I can't imagine what life would be like without her influence and inspiration.  I had the privilege this weekend to spend Saturday with her.  She worked my tail off, but the pay off can't be measured.

Jennifer, Claudia and Sheila during Tea Time Prep!

Claudia owns Claudia's Tea Room, in Sonora, KY.  It is located in a renovated family estate of her husband, Charlie Thurman.  It is a magical place - both the Tea Room and the Guest house.  Claudia and Charlie moved back up to KY from New Orleans and renovated the house into what it is today about five or six years ago.  Like I said it has a magical quality to it - serene and peaceful - just like Claudia.  She is a hoot though - she is a ton of fun. This is a picture of us at a recent Mardi Gras Networking Party.  She made us the finest Jambalaya I ever did eat!

Claudia and Sheila celebrating Mardi Gras!

Shortly after coming to live in Kentucky Claudia was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  She is a survivor and has been in remission for a while.  Claudia is a fighter and tries to be at one with the universe and knew that it wasn't her time yet.  She recently has been diagnosed with stage IV cancer that is in her bones and liver.  She is in a great deal of pain, but keeps on trucking.  Saturday she had a bridal shower at the tea room and asked if I would help her out. I was so honored.

It was a very emotional day for me.  Claudia is one of those great women that you could never glean enough information from.  She has taught me so much and to spend time Saturday learning how to put her magic into "tea time" was such a highlight for me.  I understand why she is as successful as she is and I was so humbled by the opportunity to learn so much from her.  My daughter Shannon was with me and I was so grateful that she got to learn from Claudia as well.

Shannon and Claudia at Shannon's 11th birthday party at the Tea Room!

Not only did we learn about tea, but all of the other life lesson's that she packed into the afternoon.  She is a font of wisdom and she is willing to share, and I soaked up every word hoping to incorporate her spirit into my everyday living.  Throughout the course of the afternoon, I think I even got her to agree to let me write her life's story.  What an honor and a privilege!  I look forward to the day that I can advertise the finished product with you all.

Claudia's spirit is tremendous and she needs all of the love and prayers that she can get right now.  I am asking my Active rain friends to say a prayer for this amazing woman.  She believes she is going to be a survivor again - as long as she gets love and prayers from all those who come across her story.  I am being selfish for sure - I want Claudia's story to finish with triumph and truly feel we can get there with your help!  Thank you in advance for helping me with my request!  To know her is to love her and I want to continue the blessing as long as I can!