goodbye for now.

Marion Louise Tyner, you are the strongest woman I have have ever known.  You are in my first memories, my most important memories, and the ones I hold closest to my heart.  Your wit and spunk inspire me every single day.  My whole life, I have watched you selflessly give, and give, and give....you have made me a better person.

You might not remember, but when I barely could see above the table, you taught me how to color inside the lines.  Now that I'm older, I realize that you also taught me that sometimes it's ok to color outside the lines.

 

The memories of you swirl around in my mind: the smell of black coffee, the chime of your grandfather clock, the way your carpet felt on my toes, the piano on the sitting room, the dancing light and shadows in the sun room, the treasures that you kept.

Everything was a treasure to you.

We used to walk hand in hand around your neighborhood, you would take us on "adventures" to the park...to a neighbor's house.  To me, they were exotic destinations, and you were my captain.  Now, I get to travel the world...but my favorite destination was still your room.  You, surrounded by white, your pictures, and your treasures.  We would walk hand in hand down the long hallway....then blow each other kisses. 

I realize that we were a study in opposites: I blasted through life, you moved slowly...my affinity toward color to your deep love of white....my fair hair to your dark curls.  As I got bigger and stronger physically, you became smaller....but stronger in ways I never knew.   

You have set the best example a girl could ask for.  I hope and pray that I will become a woman of strength and character...a woman like you.  I'm so thankful for the many years of my life that included you.  I am so, so lucky.  You are a treasure, and a blessing to every person that had to good fortune to meet you.  I can't wait for the day that I will be able to celebrate with you again.  

 

You are, and will always be, my hero.