Marilyn

This post was from February 13, 2009 She is still going strong, but most of the time her son now drives her where she needs to go. 

Marilyn

Here's Marilyn on a Sunday morning, all decked out for her Lord.

At church, she is the one who gives people their bulletins when they arrive. She also sings in the choir and is faithful rain or shine.

Here's Marilyn in front of her kitchen window. She has her Betty Boop Valentine's Day T-shirt on. This photo was taken last Wednesday.

Marilyn and I went out for lunch on Wednesday. After lunch, we went to Wal-Mart where I got an oil change for my car. It was fun to shop while we waited for the car to get serviced. She bought Valentine's gifts for her grandkids and a little basket with a bear and chocolates to send to our daughter, Catherine, in Spain. After that, we ran the car through the automatic car wash in Poulsbo, and I filled the gas tank at the Texaco. Then, I took Marilyn to the bank at George's Corner and on home.

It was nice.

Marilyn just lost her husband after being married to him for over 40 years. She raised his two orphaned children whose mother died when they were little. Marilyn has three kids of her own, plus her two step children that she considers as much her own as the others.

Marilyn is a strong woman of Italian descent, and a good, strong Christian. She has no car and walks everywhere if she doesn't get a ride. (Her son now drives her wherever she needs to go. He was concerned for her safety since our streets have very few sidewalks.  That is frustrating for Marilyn, but I am glad he has taken on that responsibility.)

One of the things she does to not get bored is work at Kingston Middle School in the lunchroom. She loves those kids but doesn't put up with monkey business. They all call her grandma. (she is still doing this job)

In fact, the owner of the little deli where we ate lunch knew of grandma's reputation. Her kids had gone to that school and always talked about grandma. The deli owner was happy to finally meet grandma herself.

I told the lady that Marilyn's husband had just died. The lady said many kind words of comfort to Marilyn.

Smiley's daughter at the bank took care of Marilyn's concerns about her husband's Social Security and other banking questions. She also took Marilyn's hands in hers when she began to cry as she was telling about her situation.

Marilyn has had a lot of headaches and heartaches with her kids and grandkids, but by her strength of motherhood and her faith in Jesus, she has pulled them and her through, by the grace of God. They are all hard-working, productive members of society. They had all been raised in Sunday school. She hopes and prays that they will return to church one day, but meanwhile, she prays for them.

She's an amazing and real lady. I'm proud to know her and call her my friend.