I had an aunt who lived deep in the hills of Virginia.The place was called Caney Ridge.It seemed to me as a child that it was at the top of the world. My mother always called this her safe place.

We would go often to this safe place.It was filled with laughter and
happiness.There were always sweet smells coming from the kitchen at the back of the house.

One day we had came to visit a while.When I entered the house the first thing that I noticed were those sweet smells of good home cooking.I ran to the kitchen wanting one of the best homemade biscuits
I had ever tasted.And there at the stove stood the most beautiful
little old ladie with a fresh crisp apron tied at her waist.She turned and gave
the most gracefull smile.It was a smile of hard times and good times
It was a smile of beleif and a smile of knowledge.I stood for a moment seeing a soft yellow glow surrouding her and I realized There before me stood The Queen of the Hills.
She never raised her voice above a slight whisper but when she said
something was to be done, all jumped to do her bidding.She had full
control of her home and hers.
My aunt who to me had the power to melt the ice or freeze the sun
whose same blood ran through me had also touched my life.

She was treated as royalty by all.
Be it family or the many strangers that left her life better off than
they entered.

I beleive she was God,s right hand. For never has any one made such a
difference in every life she touched.

When it was time for this lady to go,The mountain cried for
for The Queen of the Hills.

Dedicated To My Aunt Lily Mae Rose Hill