I spoke with Mary/Giac, today. Her voice was weak, dried out from meds, but she was able to talk for quite a few minutes and her mind, I can tell you, is as lively as ever. She's not able to do much because of weakness and loss of energy and she will tell one when she's been on the phone long enough, but said she'd welcome my calling her again, so I will.

She told me a little anecdote. Now, I don't remember it exactly and she is a SUPERB storyteller, plus you have to envision it in a gentile, Southern voice, not a drawl so much as a kindly, slower gentle way of speaking, yet not afraid to be loud and boisterous when called for.

Anyway...when she first moved to that area about 20-30 years ago, jobs were very scarce, so she watched an 18 month old for a couple who got into the habit of leaving him with her for a whole weekend while they went off and partied. Needless to say he grew to love her, as did his family. He called her "Merkle" which she said is the name she used to call herself when she was little. Anyway, one Saturday, she took him with her to check on his grandparents who weren't feeling well but were still working at the family lumberyard. She told htem she'd be happy to watch the office/store for them. So, she and the little boy, by then about 2 years old, had a good time. His grandma had made him a drum with one of those big, old five pound coffee cans and a plastic lid. He would bang on it with a spoon and just have a good old time.

I can't remember how they got on the subject, but he asked her when her birthday was. It was a quite cold day and she said, "Why, it's today." This made him wonder where her presents and cake were. She told him that was just for little kids, that grownups don't need such things and she'd be just fine. She reassured him, though, that he would definitely have plenty of birthday celebrations as he was so young.

About that time, she got busy with a customer and asked the little boy to go play quietly while she tended to business. When the customer left, the little boy came back out and said, "Merkle...here's your cake and presents for your birthday!" At which point he paraded up and down, holding that great big coffee can and beating on it, singing a made up song about Merkle's birthday and all. She told him it was the best birthday present she'd ever received.

I've not done it justice, but it's a nice little bit to share anyway. I told her about Julie, as she asked. Then I tol dher I hoped that she'd go in the other direction with this challenge. She agreed that's what she'd prefer, but she knows the reality is that will not happen.

We talked some more about my grandson whom she adores and whose "potato hole" at the back of his neck I kiss just for "Gramma Mary" and I promised her he would always know about her and she'd be in our hearts forever.

This woman, I tell you, is full of Grace. She is able to accept, defy, cajole, be tender, and make a person laugh while she knows her time is short. She is just incredible and I have a deep admiration for her. My only regret is not spending time with her in person. Thanks, Mary. I'll talk with you, soon.

luvyakat