Margie was one of those women who was truly a lady. She had class and grace. She had poise. She had a wonderful sense of humor. She always looked like a hundred bucks, and yet still shyed away when the camera came out. She was generous with her time, her talents, and her giving. I had such love and admiration for her.
When I was about 11, my mom and I traveled to Norway with with some of our family. Margie was our "roommate" for most of our hotel stays while we were gone. Every time we checked into a new hotel, we would take just enough time to put our bags down, then the 3 of us would check the door to examine the fire escape route for our particular hotel room. Then, we would proceed to leave our rooms and practice the route in its entirity, before returning to our rooms to settle in. This is something I have only ever done with my dear Aunt Margie. But I do have to say that I think of her every time I see the maps on the back of the hotel doors, and I hope I always do!
Visiting Margie was always such a treat. (Literally!) Whenever we sat down for tea, you could be certain something homemade and delicious would be served. I'll never forget the homemade strawberry jam, chocolate brownies, banana bread, homemade fudge sauce, and cinnamon rolls. (the list could go on and on!) Makes my water water just thinking about it! One time, it was probably Labor Day weekend, she was making a big pot of her homemade beans. She had accidently put cinnamon instead of chili powder in the pot and didn't realize it quite quick enough. She served it anyway, but needed a lot of persuasion from her family! She was so disappointed, but I am pretty sure no one went hungry, and I'm also pretty sure there weren't leftovers.
One of our favorite places to visit Margie was, of course, at the lake! Oh, what a treat it would be to join her, even if for just a few days, every summer. I'm not sure if she was ever prepared for the invasion of my family, but she always let us come back. The memories at her cottage are many, thanks to her hospitality. There's no wonder "the lake" is still one of my favorite places on earth!
A few years ago, my mom, sister and Margie were shopping at Herberger's. Somehow, Margie and I got dropped off first, so we shopped around the store, searching for yellow-dot specials. We shopped just the two of us, then met up with the rest of our shopping party, and continued to shop. I'm pretty sure by the time we left, the two uf us had been in the store for, dare I say, FIVE hours! My favorite shopping line I heard from Margie that afternoon, is one I still use today, "It's so cheap, it's practically disposable!" (You can imagine how many yellow dot items you pick up with that yellow-dot-attitude!)
Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of Margie from my younger years ready to upload for this post, but here are a few of some of my favorites from the last couple of years.
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Family Reunion Scavenger Hunt in 2005
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| One of our first visitors after we brought Pinky home in 2010. |
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| Margie gave Pinky this blanket. One of the ladies at her church made it and she decided "Pinky needed to have it." It is still one of Pinky's favorites. |
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| Reading books together. |
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| July 4th, 2005. At the lake with our cousins. |
It is with much sadness we say good-bye. But it is with overwhelming joy and gratitude we remember all of the wonderful memories we were blessed to share with one of the most amazing "ladies" we have ever met.
