Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Thanks to Frank’s generous support, I had the honor and privilege of getting to know and work with Marge over the last couple of years. Her reticence at first to pick up a paint brush was very quickly replaced by feelings of joy, gratitude, amazement and humble pride. She eagerly looked forward to painting. During our last artist date together painting a forest of fall trees earlier this month, I asked her if she’s raked a lot of leaves. To which she replied no—that’s the kids’ job. :). I decided to shower her with a bunch of leaves at the end of our class— we were like two kids! When I shared a poem with her about trees she recited much of it by heart having learned it many years prior. The month prior we were visiting southern France’s lavender fields when she spontaneously started singing Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly while she painted her bouquet. I had never heard of that song but because of her it quickly became part of my curriculum for the other artists I’d work with that month. And they all loved it too! I imagine she may have sung it to her precious children in her care too. It’s so joyful and comforting—two words that remind me of her.
I will greatly miss Marge and thank her immensely for the joy she brought to my life. I wish I could have made it to her funeral to honor this special woman who exuded love, kindness and support towards all including me. May she see God face to face and be reunited with those she loved who have gone before her.
