Today was a beautiful beach day, something special for Michigan in mid-October. Though the water was cold, the sand was warm, and I had no trouble setting aside my chores for an hour at my favorite place.
Arriving without my beach-buddy of 70+ years, I missed Mary more than ever. But the rhythm of the waves brought comfort, and as I sat in the sun with my eyes closed, my mind drifted back to February of 2014. When Mary received her diagnosis, we heard the word “pancreatic” and jumped to the conclusion she had only 42 days to live…. as Nate had.
But God did it differently this time. We were blessed with three more summers with Mary.
I’m deeply grateful for those bonus beach days next to my sister and for all the words that passed between us during those months – hundreds of conversations we didn’t anticipate having. And as I thought about that today, I knew God was nudging me to feel grateful rather than gloomy.
So I got up and did something Mary and I had done every summer of our lives. I walked the shoreline hunting for pretty stones, filling a small bag in no time. The way we viewed it, certain rocks were as stunning as jewels, and we have stone-laden shelves, drawers, and closet floors to prove it.
About a week before Mary began her rapid decline, she texted me one morning. “Want to come over and glue some stones?”
When I arrived she was struggling to create a stone-covered votive candle holder. The challenge was to glue the narrow sides of the rocks to the glass rather than their flat sides. But the stones kept sliding away, ending in one gooey mess after another.
Finally we decided to turn the holder upside-down and start backwards, letting the stones rest on each other as we built them from bottom to the top – which was actually top to bottom. And it worked!
After making two votives, we celebrated by consuming half a watermelon between us. Neither of us knew this would be our last stoning project, because in less than a month Mary would be gone.
Today, as I walked along, all I could think about was my sister, who was far, far away. While I was picking up rocks, what was she doing?
Then God reminded me that Scripture mentions a “sea like crystal” in heaven, which means there’s probably a beach there, too. Is it possible that every stone on that beach, every grain of celestial sand, is an actual jewel, sparkling in the light of the Son? If that’s true, then I think I can safely say I know what Mary was doing today.
“In front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.” (Revelation 4:6)
I miss Mary also. Even tho we haven’t been together so much the last few year there is still that void. She was so special…Mary was an encouragement to all she came in contact with. She
Always knew when I needed a hug or a few good words that were always helpful Mary was a joy. , sonja
Thank you , again, Margaret, for capturing so much about Mary. Indeed, such a one of a kind person. My prayers are with you and all of Mary’s family–we know she is with the Lord, but her unique presence is sorely missed.
I feel so fortunate to have been on some of those treasure hunts for Lake Michigan jewels! Blessings Judi
I love to think about your conversations with Mary – and all those conversations yet to come!,
Thanks for sharing. Still looking forward to your book about growing up with Mary. Jimmy Glauser, and Pearl to.
Hi Margaret,
There’s something else in heaven that will bear precious jewels- the five crowns. As I looked at them- imperishable, rejoicing, righteousness, glory and life- it became obvious that Mary earned all of them. No glue necessary, she is wearing gem filled crowns. Like a true Olympian, she ran the race well.
Love,
Terry
I am so thankful you are sharing Mary stories. I am loving “getting to know her” (and you!) through them. 🙂
Keep sharing your Mary stories. I love reading about her and you also
Margaret,
Thank you for your beautiful posts. I am one of the mentor moms for Mom2Mom, a group at The Moody Church that Mary was so dedicated to and invested in. Today, as the mentor moms met after our session, we discussed our annual chili lunch. Mary always provided the large roaster/cooker for the chili, and suddenly we felt her absence in a new way. But we experienced her presence/legacy even more by seeing the blossoms from the seeds she has planted in the ministry. More than 40 young women come every-other Thursday despite rain, cranky toddlerr and traffic to connect, study the Word and receive love, encouragement and discipleship from those of us who are much farther down the road of motherhood than they are, and so want them to simply know Jesus as their Strength and Shield through it all.
I am so thankful to have served with her last year and learn from her servant heart. I rejoice in the victory of eternal life she now enjoys.
In Him,
Sharon