The Greatest Gift

Gifts come in so many different forms in life. Some are unexpected, some we wait months for- maybe even years. Some gifts we want, some we don't. There are material gifts and then there are gifts of the heart that nobody can take away from you. Many gifts we may not even realize they are gifts until later on in life. I guess it's all about perspective.
For Peter and I- our greatest gifts or treasures are the people in our lives. We have such interesting and precious friends and family members who enrich our lives continuously.
Last weekend we were given an incredible gift of time. We got to spend a few days in Vero Beach, Florida visiting Peter's Grandmother, Margie Linder. She is also known as "GG" to Clara, for "Great Grandma." Margie is nothing less than great.
She stands no more than 5'2, and is slender, petite, graceful and beautiful in appearance. She has the brightest sparkle in her eyes you have ever seen! No kidding. She has an effervescence about her that is difficult to articulate and a tireless spirit. She can deliver a story about something that happened 65 years ago with more pizzaz and attention to detail than most young people I know. She is warm, funny, loving, and easy to talk to. She e-mails, makes delicious almond bark cookies, fixes her friends computers, plays a MEAN organ, and has a facebook account! Margie is 91, but you would never ever know it. Margie makes 91 look good... like, really good.
I believe that one of the greatest gifts a person can give you is their time. Peter, Suzanne, Clara and I had the privilege of spending a great time with Margie last weekend. She is a person who has lived a long time, and is not only able to recall so many stories of her life, but tells them with spirit, joy and lightheartedness. It is a tremendous gift for Margie to give us her time, and share with us the stories of her life.
Peter and Margie have a unique and most precious bond that is indescribable. They have so much in common, and yet are so different. Peter's Grandfather Jim, who passed away about three years ago was a lawyer who worked harder than you can imagine to get to where he did in life. He leaves quite a legacy of intelligence and strength of will. There have been many times that Peter has wished he could just talk with his Grandfather about this or that as he's faced the challenges of law school. He was able to share some of his thoughts and questions with his Grandmother during our time, which felt like a much needed connection. When we returned Peter told me that the visit was, "good for his head."
I think there is something so healing about time we spend with loved one's that seems to really help a person put things into perspective. We left Florida with a little more "starch in our shorts." (This is a phrase my mother always uses, which I love.) I mean to say we left feeling a bit more grounded, with a feeling like- "okay life, here we come! the road may not always be smooth, but we can do this!" Thank you Margie, for your time. We love you more than you could know.