I met a woman named Mary and it changed the course of my life. The circumstances under which we met were life-changing as well, but that’s another story for another day.
Mary is one of the most unique, genuine, and precious women I have ever met, indeed, one of the most special people alive. She is loving, protecting, affectionate and validating. She has a way of making each individual feel as if you are the most unique person, too. That’s just who she is.
Mary has been a nurse for thirty plus years. She has been around the block a time or two herself and doesn’t mind telling you like it is.
“You are being stripped”, I was told by a wiser person than I. “God is allowing this time of being stripped for a reason.”
I wasn’t sure how or why; I didn’t really understand it, but the truth of those statements was staring me right in the face.
Separation from four important people in my life. Why? Why was all this happening at the same time? It was too much. Too much for me to handle alone.
God never intended for us to do life alone.
And that’s when I met Mary.
Little by agonizing little, one toddler step at a time, I was beginning to dig a tiny hole in this deepest, darkest pit of my life.
God has a plan.
I am reminded of a few lines in the movie Sleepless in Seattle where Sam (Tom Hanks) is talking to Dr. Marcia on a radio talk-show phone line about his plans for his life since his wife died. He said, “I am going to get out of bed every morning and remind myself to breathe throughout the day. And I will keep doing that until one day, I won’t have to remind myself to breathe anymore.”
It’s just a movie.
It’s also where I was when I met Mary.
Mary has been there for countless women before I met her, and she will continue to be there for countless people after I am gone.
I’m not sure Mary understands what an impact she had on my life. But then again, I think she just might. One of the things she told me every time I saw her was, “I don’t ask you to do anything I don’t have to do myself.”
Yes, I think Mary knows.
That time I spent with Mary… I plan to let the many lessons she taught me continue to change me in all the ways intended.
I met a woman named Mary, and it changed the course of my life.
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