I began this candle business in honor and homage to my mother, Kathleen P. Legier. This vision was birth from the depth of love my mother and I shared, the pain I endured once she transitioned, and the enormous outpouring of love that was extended to my family and myself during her untimely passing. It is because of my mother's infinite love that I can Let Love Light My Way.

My mom was a fighter! During her lifetime she survived breast cancer twice, lung cancer thrice, multiple hip replacements, and many ailments that often erode a person’s quality of life. Through it all, she never expressed fear; opting to rely on her unwavering faith in God to give her the strength to battle when she was weary and live to the fullest. That same faith enabled her to maintain the poise needed to shield her kids from the emotional devastation that she knew we’d feel if we understood the depths of her struggles.

Kathleen P. Legier was more than my mother; she was also my best friend. We spoke to each other in a language that only we could understand. She was my emotional protector—the suit of armor I put on when my defenses were weak. When cloaked in her love, I felt invincible.

The weekends were ours. Our favorite pastime was shopping for candles. While shopping, my mother would talk to anyone with a listening ear. I'd ask, who's that? Her reply was always, that's my friend! She had a personality that was infectious. She would always greet you with a smile, followed by, heeyyy, my baabbyybeeee (in her New Orleans accent).

We examined, sniffed, and critiqued candles the way a chef sizes up ingredients in a produce aisle. Predictions of how friends and family would react when they smelt the candles in our homes were bandied around, and as I write this, I can clearly hear her saying, ‘Girl, I’m gon’ light this lavender eucalyptus scented candle when Denzel (Washington) comes over’. My response was always, Okay, my girl!

Scent elicits memories and emotions like no other sense. A scent can alter your mind and emotions. I smile when I think about those candle sniffing days and how we found joy in the simplicity of a scent. Now that she is gone, I realize that those candle scents were God’s way of ensuring that my mother’s memory remains with me long after those candles burn out.