“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25
The occasion called for celebration, and we were blessed to be invited to the 90th Birthday Party of my mom’s oldest friend. They had known each other as young girls, which means like God… Mary Lee has known me since before I was born. The get together was a small affair since, how many people make it that far? But because of her impact on family and friends, it required renting a room!
Kids generally get a Slip n Slide or a Bounce House for their birthday. Cardiac arrest is what those would have gotten Mary Lee. But no doubt she would have tried them anyway. So there she sat… all 4’11” of her (I’m guessing here) with the dignity of her counterpart The Queen of England. Though MUCH more classy and interesting. I can actually say that… because so many people did!
Mary Lee is most known for her quick wit and classy humor. I don’t know how she didn’t make it to Prime Time TV, but she is still the brightest star in the room wherever she goes. The thing I’ve always admired was her ability to wrap a bad situation into a story that had everyone rolling in laughter, begging for more. Because sadly, there were enough bad situations to make her enormously popular.
As each person in the room had a chance to talk about her, I felt honored to be among those who joined in that club. And while it was her humor that was unanimously mentioned, the central processing center for that gift has always been her heart. I can’t rightly say that I ever heard her say anything bad about anyone. But like a ‘lady’ Don Rickles, if she did, they’d always beg for more.
I don’t expect to hit 90, and really have no desire to do so. Life on this planet has gotten a little too icky for me, and since I don’t possess Mary Lee’s ability to turn that much ick into a 90 season comedy show, I’ll leave that to her. For me, the big lesson I continue to work on, until Doctor Death rings my bell, is her ability to genuinely display real love and care for God’s people… with dignity.
So thank you M’Lady for the invite and the gift to aspire toward. But please keep your calendar open… I think I want YOU to do my funeral!
