Lacey Gaines

Lacey Claire Gaines was an amazing young woman. This story is just one of many memories which lives in my heart.

I remember when Lacey came to visit us with her parents and brothers. She was young maybe 8 yrs. and she wanted to go fishing. So we all booked passage on "The Fishing Fool". Lacey was so happy she walked gracefully across gangway to the boat, singing "We ain't leaving 'til we're heaving." Oh how she made me laugh.

Now this was a big boat and there were 6 of us and an extra gentleman who happened to be a Priest. Lacey, I and the Priest were fishing side by side. The poles were heavy and held as many as 9 hooks. I worried if we did catch anything we'd surely be pulled overboard. But not Lacey, she was catching them fish faster than anyone else on the boat. I remember her leaning over to me and whispering real low, "Wanna know my secret, Aunt Cherry?" I said, "Sure, what is it? - thinking she was going to tell me she did some fancy hook maneuvering." Lacey leaned closer and whispered, "I pray." Then she grinned this big grin with a twinkle in her eye. She was some special little girl. She'd steal your heart the moment you laid eyes on her.

We had gone fishing at 6am, I had bruises under my arms from holding that pole. Lacey was so excited about her catch she wanted to cook it right away.

So we drove back to Aunt Cherry's to cook the red fish. Lacey thought I could do anything. But I can't, I am a terrible cook. I looked for my trusty Betty Crocker cookbook and it said to bread the fish.

Well I didn't have any breading. But I had Capt Crunch cereal so that's what I used. I told Lacey it was Aunt Cherry's secret ingredient. I can remember her little eyes just looking at me in such adoration and she was going to keep that secret. Thankfully it turned out delicious.

Later that year we flew up to Chicago for Christmas which we always had at Lacey's. That year we were having red fish for Christmas dinner. Lacey leaned over to me and said "It's not as good as ours Aunt Cherry, they forgot the secret ingredient....Capt Crunch!"

She was such a beautiful adventurous girl. When I think of Lacey I know she could have become someone great. It's so sad. I miss her greatly.

I know she's in Heaven right now pulling in some big fish with her G'pa Charlie.

"PRAY" for Lacey's son. Pray they catch her killer.