Have a busy day, with write group this morning and dinner at Margaret's house this afternoon. Margaret called last week and said, "Lets do lunch". So we arranged to meet at the Cheyenne Cafe at noon. Last night she called and said I'm fixing food at 2:00, so bring Herb and come to my house.
Margaret is a dear friend, first she was my boss at school for seven years, and during that time she became a life long friend. I think of the different roles, first a boss, sometimes a mother figure, a teacher of life's lessons and just the common ground of being women. Women, who were raised on a farm, married young, had children. She being older with much more experience and heartache, she became the mentor. I don't remember having cross words, if we thought them, both of us kept them to ourselves. I remember this as a time in my life, when I worked hard, and laughed a lot.
Margaret retired from her job at school as the "head cook" with plans to join the Peace Corps. After much frustration, filling out paperwork, jumping through hoops etc. She, this country girl, got on a plane and flew into the great unknown. Yes, she told me, she was afraid and had second thoughts about her decision. But once Margaret made up her mind to do something, it was going to happen!
She spent two years in Belize, where she loved working with the local people and made friends with her fellow Peace Corps volunteers. She didn't care for the bureaucracy or the politics but took it in stride and made the best of the opportunity to travel and explore a different country and culture. She came home with stories to tell and one of her many talents is to tell a good story. She regaled us with stories of bus trips, on broken down buses, but mostly about the love and kindness of the people. She was referred to as "li white lady" or "Magwit".
Back in Wallowa County, she lived in a small cabin in the Imnaha Canyon country, where she wrote and readjusted to life in Oregon. Always an independent sole, she did some traveling, in and around the western states, visiting family and friends. She traveled in her station wagon, sometimes camping, sleeping in the back of the car. She spent time, as a cook, in Alaska and at Reds Horse Ranch. She enjoyed the grandchildren and great grandchildren that blessed her life.
She was blessed in another way, when she and an old family friend, Vandon Martin, shared their lives for the next ten years. They spent some winters in Arizona as "snow birds", soaking up the sun, and exploring the desert. They both blossomed in this relationship, comfortable with the love and companionship of each other. I loved Vandon's dry wit, quick smile, and great hugs. He was always welcoming and ready for a visit. When Vandon's emphysema worsened and "canned" oxygen was his constant companion, Margaret was still there, by his side. He passed away in September of 2009.
With the help of her family, Margaret once again packed up her belongings, and moved on with with her life. She lives in Joseph and it is not uncommon for her to drive her faithful little red car to Asotin to visit family. But mostly she meets friends at the senior center or local cafe to catch up on the latest happenings, in and around the place where she grew up and still calls home, Wallowa County Oregon.
Note,♥ Margaret, if you read this, remember it is from my prospective and my memory isn't what it used to be. Just wanted to let you know how much I value your friendship and think you are an amazing lady. Much love, Idella♥ OWAV:)
You and Cienna have the same spelling problem although she wanted to eat a "role" and apparently you were thinking of making "rolls" when you talked about Maggie. (hee, hee) Dang those spelling police.
ReplyDeleteThanks for setting me straight. It's bad when you don't know one kind of roll from the other kind of role. It could get a person in real trouble.
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