Good Night, Marge

Marge didn't always make the best decisions or have the greatest instinct but she cared. She was an LPN, a caregiver, and a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) of many years. She loved her "charges" or her "children" as she called them and stood up for them. She needed to be escorted from court more than once because of an angry parent and sometimes worried about her own safety but that didn't stop her from doing what she thought was right for the child.

She led an interesting life for over sixty years. She was proud of being a nurse and her work as a GAL. She talked about the military, being oversees, and working at the jail. She was a trustworthy friend who was always ready to lend an ear and a shoulder to lean on. When I wrote The Joys of Not Owning a Dog, I mentioned Mercy, her beloved bichon that I sometimes watched while Marge went in to work early. She thanked me and said it made her cry. Mercy was always happy to go home with me but just as thrilled to be back home again where she was treated as a queen.

Marge declined before our eyes. Her color and her balance were off but she had to be told to go to the doctor before she could come back to work. When she did she was sent to the hospital by ambulance, moved to the oncology floor, and then to Hope Hospice, all within a few weeks. I went to visit her at Hope Hospice as soon as I heard (last night) but she had already left this world. I called the friends/coworkers that I knew were her friends and she would want to know. There is only one I haven't told yet and I'm not sure how to do it. She's older and easily upset so I know I have to do it in person.

When I asked what I could bring her the first time I visited her in the hospital, she just wanted large straws so she could drink right out of the water pitcher. I never thought I could make anyone happy with a handful of straws but she very thankful to have them. When I asked again if there was anything I could get for her, she asked for thank you cards. She wanted to send thank you's to people who cared enough to stop in or do something to help. In the end, maybe what matters most is that someone cares. I think she knew that we did. Good night, Marge! Sleep well!