Sic Itur Ad Astra

Darlings,

I have sad news to share. Last Friday, my mother made a sudden departure from this world. Please light a candle or say a prayer for her soul's safe passage into the next world.

My mom was full of life. She was strong, quick-witted, open-hearted, opinionated and eccentric. She adored books, music, art, her family, and her beloved granddaughter. As a teacher and a librarian, she believed in education and was ardently opposed to censorship. She believed in the power of strong women to overcome anything. She had a soft spot for stray people and continually impressed upon us that all are equally deserving of love. She carried books, conversation, friendship and laughter to everyone she met-- so many people are readers today because of her. As one of her smaller legacies, her influence is woven through Arcana Soaps, from descriptions she helped to write to the gorgeous perfumes she wore throughout my childhood to her love of history, literature and fantasy which she passed down to me.

Thanks, Mom, for all of the good advice and all of the forgiveness you gave me. I hope that right now you are singing as much as you want to, dancing in 3 inch heels with a roster of tall, clever men, joking, swimming, reading, reciting poetry, playing the piano, and telling the best stories anybody's ever heard.

Love,
Julia