My Mary Etta

Debra:

Easter…our first holiday without Mary Etta. It is almost unbearable to think about. It was so weird having to buy prizes for the kids this year because that was always her job. Our prizes are, of course, not as good as the ones she would buy. Last year we rode together to sunrise service…it is going to be strange without her there. I can remember last year, it was raining, and we sat in the truck together and talked while Amanda and Jackie went in and got us donuts and danishes. This year, we’ll have our Easter cookout and egg hunt as usual and I’m sure we’ll all think about Mary Etta as the day goes by. We all know that she’ll be looking down on each of us and that she’ll be laughing at MaMa out there hunting eggs with all the grandchildren. Happy Easter to a special sister who we all miss very much!

ladies

Originally uploaded by athelm.

Jennifer Wanted me to post this.

{Sent To Me By Jennifer Burnett}

As we wear our green ribbons and give our money for relay for life, lets remember that mary etta would have participated in this even before she got sick.  I think we dig a little deeper into our pockets because we are supporting a cause that has become close to us , even though it was unwelcomed.  We all know that if she would have been approached 5 years ago to walk around a candle lit track to support relay for life she would have been so into that.  Can you just hear her say “oh, that’s so good, let’s do it.”  she would rather be the one rallying for the cause instead of being the inspiration, as she was last year.

My point is that we have such a strong role model in mary etta when we remember how fun, smart, outgoing, hard working and kind she was for her entire life.  She would rather have us forget the pain she suffered in the end and cling to all the happy times, lord knows those memories keep popping up out of the blue. I know she would want us to support this relay for life and what it raises money and awareness for not because of what she suffered from, but so that others won’t have to.