Interesting word “plumage”, a birds feathers, collectively.

Birds of a feather flock together, meaning like-minded individuals usually find each other.

A flock, a group of birds, often used to refer to a close-knit group, synonymous with family and friends.

Plumage is also the foundation for a “Boa.” Yes, a boa, a feather boa,that is. A whimsical accessory to one’s attire that can evoke images of erras gone by. Or a sneezing fit for some. In this reflection, it is a Nom-de-Plume, an alter ego, for an individual I call friend and sister.

May I introduce you to Katrina Byrd. A rare Byrd of sorts, one that is a kin to a Phoenix. In this instance, she is still rising from the ashes. Her tears are the words she painfully cries onto her modern-day parchment, her keyboard. Bringing to life, the pain of love lost to a cruel vilan known as ALS. Her words are a window to the ceuely beautiful landscape of this world called ALS.

Katrina shares her heart and soul through a colorful personage. At times, the words themselves are colorful when needed to help understand the urgency of her missive. This persona does not shy away from making you uncomfortable about what she has to say. The Boa Flouncer shuffles into your subconscious with a swagger and leaves you with a profound understanding of her pain and the love in her heart. That Love, her name Dora, whom that vilan ALS took from her.

Shattered but not beaten, Katrina waded into the ALS vortex of advocacy and support. Thus, our community was gifted both Katrina and the Boa Flouncer. This community is blessed to have both. We, Katrina and I, met through Zoom and have yet to meet in person. As such, I have come to love my sister in ALS, as does anyone who is lucky to know her.

Is she still shattered? Yes, but not into pieces. The love and support of our ALS family has helped her collect those pieces and reassemble them into a beautiful kolaidascope of radiant light that is elucidation and healing.

We are birds of a feather, the ALS flock, her flock. Each of us makes up the plumage of the Flouncers Boa. When she flounces, we flonce.

Today, Meg and I meet both Katrina and the Flouncer. I’m ready to flounce. Are you?

TJO