Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Thanks, Margie.

So how do you know that someone is truly deserving of praise?

Well, first, the person who truly deserves it will absolutely not want to be praised publicly, which is why I have to apologize completely in advance to my sister, Margie, for this posting. She simply will dismiss it as hogwash or say she was only doing what anyone would do, but you know it’s a rare individual who would love on a person as much has Margie has loved on my mother.

Second, a person deserving of praise can be spotted by noting how everyone around them is in complete agreement that there is something quite unusual about this person. Margie is one of eight children, and I bet if you asked each of the seven of us in absence of the company of the others to name the sibling who has been granted by God the largest share of generosity, courage, and mercy, Margie’s name would be flat out stated with no exception.

In 2002 Margie brought our mother to her town near Boston, successfully got her accepted into the Doolittle Home, and began a process of daily attention and love that continued for seven years. Margie sat through meals with Mama, took her to every doctor appointment, encouraged the rest of us to visit her sometimes up to six times a year, and got my mother walking every day – a practice that would have ended years ago had she not been nudged a little. Margie has been a champion of every medical decision for my mother, every lifestyle issue, and even the activities my mother could and couldn’t do.

But I absolutely must apologize for this posting because it only further propagates the "Saint Marjorie" label, one I’m sure she must detest. Margie does what she does because she is guided by her conscious, the Lord, what have you may. But the trouble with accomplishing so much through love and repeating the practice of it over and over is that people label you with that “Saint” rubber stamp.

She may wonder if the expectation level on her is so high, that she wouldn’t be allowed to take a break from it. I want her to know that from this grateful sibling, I expect no more- I only feel thankful and glad to call myself her sister.

I hope she knows that the seven of us are so incredibly indebted to her for leading the way in the care of our mother. For being there hours a day, sometimes entire days, managing each and every fine point of her health and daily activities.

1 comment:

Susan said...

I thank God that my Aunt Ici had a daughter like Margie to take care of her and love on her, especially these past 7 years. Margie, may God continue to bless your heart and your life!