Two years ago I met a marvelous, caring, compassionate woman -- Catherine Anderson. Upper Valley friends may know Catherine from local farmer's markets. She started Catherine’s Sweet & Savory  3 years ago.  The line snaking around her blue tent and the disappointment when her food sells out halfway through the market  attest to her marvelous baking. We all know she is an entrepreneur who works hard and will eventually thrive. Right now, she needs a boost and needs it soon!

Catherine was a friend of a friend. Now she's part of our family. She came into my life to help take care of my mother, whose dementia was progressing. Catherine got it; got that my mother didn't realize she needed or wanted help. Catherine's humor and compassion made it work. Pie day Friday was something to look forward to. Thanks to Catherine, my mother was safe; equally as important, she was happy. 

Catherine needs help getting back on her feet. After a 40 year relationship, her husband left her high and dry for another woman. Even as life as she's known it vanished, she still thinks of others first, whether her 3 adult kids, her grand daughter, or friends such as my family. 

I don't think I can ever repay what she gave my mother in her final years. This is my way of trying and I hope my friends, family and the larger community can help.