It’s the day, but no hugely deep thoughts…and no relevance beyond the usual “for whom the bell tolls” stuff.
But tonight a person of no fame but good heart passed away. Her name was Marie. She was 98 years old. To her anguish, she outlived her husband and her son. She lived, loved and tried through a lifetime, and died a slow death from cancer.
Her death is the least of her legacy.
She lived a quiet, joyous, caring life. She lost everything she strove for, but never stopped giving. There aren’t any organizations, hymns, marches or official observances for her. She’s one of the quiet, gallant ones who buried her dead, nurtured the living and just hung on, doing her best day-to-day and doggedly working what miracles she could. She baked pies, nagged/loved/listened/forgave and read to kids who are now grandparents themselves. She gave much more in this life than she ever took.
Hers was a quiet, uncelebrated life and death. She was heroic but won’t be honored in any notable way; just another old lady who outlived her loved ones and died a hard death.
But damned if her life was wasted. It wasn’t footnoted, approved or ballyhooed; she would have been completely disconcerted if it had been.
But a gallantry, heroism and service come in many forms. We just lost a one of those quiet, enduring heroes.
Rest in peace, Marie, and thank you for your life.
Veb