A tale of two Coras.

I had this post planned for shortly after our trip to Florida, but as many of you know, Ben and I were sent through another nightmare. He's on the mend now, and I'm catching up so just pretend I'm writing this having just returned from a beautiful getaway.

Our departure to Florida was spontaneous. One cold, gray, lifeless day in February, I received Cora's autopsy report, and I couldn't take this apartment. The house where Cora died. I crawled next to my husband, taking a nap in the bed. Sobbing, I begged him to take me away. We left.

The trip was planned.

When I was pregnant with Cora, we knew she'd be born in the middle of winter and that her namesake wouldn't be able to meet her until the next Spring. Ben and I made a pact to take our Cora to Florida during his Spring Break to meet the original Cora Mae, Ben's grandmother.

We didn't take naming our Cora lightly. We thought about and talked about it for months. Cora won because we hoped by naming little Cora after Ben's grandma, we'd pass on some of her. She's incredible.

Cora Mae Mitchell was born Dec. 11, 1911. She's 98 years old. She was born in Michigan and lived in this farmhouse with her five brothers. She gave birth to six boys of her own, and more or less raised them herself.  Growing up and raising all of those boys made grandma someone we all listen to and respect much. Grandma doesn't talk much, but when she does, we all listen. When she was born, her parents paid the doctor that delivered her at their home $10.

 Cora Mae McCormick was born November 30, 2009. She lived five days. She was an only child. She never had any children of her own. Cora's birth cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Her parents live in a modest apartment, but love her much and created a beautiful room for her. She never said any first words, but somehow, thousands of people have read her story. I think some of the wisdom from her namesake came down the family tree.

The original Cora Mae didn't learn to drive until she was in her 60s, but drove until she was 90. She worked until she was into her 70s. She worked as a nurse. She saved lives.

Ultimately, we settled on naming our Cora after her great grandmother hoping to hand down health, longevity and strength. Our Cora only lived five days. But, she still has those qualities.

She saves lives.







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