Mary died last Sunday morning. She had been in a terrible car wreck and had held onto life for a number of weeks. Being a niece, I did not see her as much as I should have. Time and distance has a way of disconnecting folks. Shouldn't be that way, but it is.
She had a lot of "Betty" in her, Betty being her grandmother. Mary took up tasks and work that would have driven most women away. She went to college but then decided to switch and learn how to be an electrician. She never fell back on the idea of " I'm a woman, I can't do that." In fact she was quiet the opposite...."Give me those pliers and let me do my job."
The one thing I remember most about Mary was the "impish" smile that seem to creep across her face when she felt happiness or joy. She was an infectious person wanting every moment in life to one to be savored and drained of joy, as if you could take the joy and put it in your pocket. Put it in your pocket and pull it out on the hard days to help you make it through.
When Mary was a little girl, she was thoroughly convinced that I was Santa Clause, even to the point of approaching my wife to secretly ask her..."Do you know that you live with Santa Clause?" That was Mary.
Yesterday I visited Mary's Facebook page to read some of the postings. There were so many written by friends of hers that expressed their grief and sadness that Mary had died. Without fail, each one commented on how Mary had gotten them through some hard times. Mary seemed to have a knack for reaching out to others to make sure they were taken care of.... That was Mary.
So this morning, life seems a little less full....with her passing. May we all take a lesson from Mary and see the hurt that others are going through. TO not stand idly by and just watch, but to draw close to the individual and BE with them. We may not have answers to their troubles, but we can be there with them.
Thanks for all the lessons you have, and are continuing to teach us. I pray that I become a better uncle than I was to you. I love you Mary, and I will miss you terribly.
Uncle Michael
3 comments:
A life well lived that ended too soon. Praying peace on Mary’s family. Thanks for sharing
I didn't know Mary for very long, just since she moved to Florida. But it doesn't matter how long you've known someone to know how much they mean to you. I prayed that God would bring me a best friend, and God brought Mary into my life. Time went by so fast when we were together. We would sit on my back porch and talk for hours. I miss my sweet, beautiful friend. I miss her smile and her funny laugh. I hope she hears me when I tell her I love her. I'll be listening for her laughter in the wind. Love always, from Kristina Morin
Beautiful. Mary was an amazing soul. I got to have some fun adventures with her at the lake. Always up for anything. She will be so so missed!
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