Mother in law tribute

I wrote this on Jan. 11, 2012. Heaven gained this precious woman and left a void in our lives on July 23, 2014. I am so thankful for all she imparted into my life during the years I had her. I am most grateful that she raised such a wonderful son who is such a great husband.

I have had the privilege of staying in the hospital with one of the sweetest most caring people I know. My 83-year-old mother-in-law, Margaret.

This was a third surgery to fix a GI issue she has suffered with for some time. I have learned so much from Margaret over the years and love her so much. People that know me real well, know that I am not one to visit hospitals as a rule (phobia that I have overcome by the blood of Jesus and the word of my testimony) . So for me to volunteer to stay the night with her in the hospital should tell you how highly regarded she is to me.

Margaret has a strong faith in the Lord. A gentle, quiet faith, but strong faith. She walks in peace like I have rarely seen in others who have been through as much as she has. Reggie is her only living natural child. She had to bury a son (Reggie’s brother Gregory) when he was just a toddler. There have been many other bumps and bruises in her life over the years. Somewhere a long the way Margaret learned how to use tragedy and heartache as a stepping stone. She knows her help and strength comes from the Lord. She was able to take things that satan meant to destroy her and turn them into blessings.

You know you are blessed when you are loved by others. Margaret not only has a son and daughter in law that love her but she is just like a mother to a handful of step children that love and care for her years after their father passed away. She is grandma to dozens who would fight you over their Margaret. She has a slew of nieces, nephews, cousins and they all love her so much. She is a respected neighbor, church member and friend to so many. She is a popular lady.

What makes her so popular? The way she lives her life. The way she treats people. Everyone is special to her and she lets them know it. She is always thinking of others. Tonight when the nurse came into the room to ask if she needed anything. She responded a blanket and a pillow. Of course she is in bed with several pillows and blankets already and the nurse looked puzzled. She was making sure I had a pillow and blanket for the night. That’s just Margaret. It brought a tear to my eye and I explained to the nurse that she was looking out for me. The nurse said that was one of the sweetest things she had seen and then proceeded to treat me like royalty. I not only have a blanket, but two pillows, and a bed made up with sheets and all.

Margaret is special and I thank God for all she is to me and everyone else in her life. Her sweet spirit brings peace and blessings to those she comes in contact with. I am thankful that God has His hand on her, healing her perfectly and allowing her to keep on keeping on for the Lord.