Cassandra Barney

Today many of us got to mourn and celebrate an incredible lady. Claudia Naranjo was a vivacious lady who did everything big. She even did big hair, ratt'n and chatt'n with the ladies she puffed and prettied, including my two grandmothers. More importantly, she had a big heart.
I've been to more funerals over the past year than in all other years put together. I've found funerals to be more inspiring than boring, especially this one. I left wanting to be a better person. The best was to hear her children talk about their mother. One daughter said that Claude was her compass, guiding the life that she now lives by example in nobility, enthusiasm, service and womanhood.

Hmmm...I wonder what my kittens would say? That's a little frightening now that I think about it. In fact, that's probably what my dad was thinking when he asked me after the funeral, that if he wrote down what he wanted said at his funeral, would I read it. I said ya, sure, that'll be once less thing to worry about. Maybe I should write my own. Or maybe I'll have Ruth do it. I just read a paper that Ruth, a student of Dan Barney's at B.Y.U., wrote about juggling motherhood and an art career. She made me sound like the patron saint of mothers who paint. I do wonder if Ruth had seen me this evening when I stuck a plastic elephant tusk up my nose to entertain my kitten, would she still say nice things? I mean, my nose did bleed a little.

I had the opportunity to be in charge of the luncheon for Claudia's family following the funeral. I took my job seriously. It was a chance to give back a little to someone who gave a whole lot more. Claudia loved the outdoors and 'stump sittin' as she used to say. With the help of a lot of good people, we had stumps at every table along with burlap and trees. While we were cleaning up I realized that the family had taken all of the tree stumps (with permission of course) as mementos. I was so very grateful to be a part of that.

I'd like to give a shout out to my littlest kitten who has helped at my side with every event I've undertaken this year. She's a pretty great kid. I'd also like to thank Ruth for her kind, flattering words and wish her the best of luck.