True courage comes in many forms. It does not always have to be soldier going into battle or bold daredevils leaping buildings with a motor bike. Courage can be found in many forms and sometimes found much closer to home and in a less dramatic environment. I have labeled this chapter/article simply “Marie” for the housewife/mother whom displayed courage in everyday life. She never marched in war, helped pass a law or even made a speech to group of people. Yet Marie showed courage through much of her life.
It was in 2002 that I first heard the sweet voice of Marie Granger. She spoke to me in broken English on the telephone numerous times before I finally met her. She had a way of making me feel so loved and wanted. That was something I really needed to feel at that time in my life. Her son and I had decided to share our lives together and having her acceptance was awesome. What was beyond my wildest expectations was that she loved me and was happy her son and I were together. This bond allowed us to talk and laugh together often. She asked I call her “Mama” or at least “Mama Granger” yet for the purpose of this article, I will call her Marie.
Hearing her speak would bring a smile to my face as she would say “Reeeahhh , I love you ! Tell Stevie I love him toooo!” .I think it is one you would just have to hear – I cannot type it. The accent was just adorable and soul lifting. I always could feel the love as she said it.
She was born and lived in St.Jules DeBeauce, Quebec, near an asbestos factory until her parents bought a hotel outside of Abercorn. I suppose it is no surprise that she developed emphysema at a young age. The last 10 years of her life was lived with an oxygen tank by her side and a tube to her nose. Towards the end of her life, her breathing became so shallow that she retained carbon dioxide. This required a special machine that would assist her with ridding her body of this toxin while she slept.
Her energy faded along with her ability to drive to visit friends and family. Yet in all the time I knew her, she would always say everything would be okay and bring happiness into your life with her voice.
As a young woman , Marie married and moved to Vermont, where she had three children. Their father was gone often, which made it hard on Marie to raise three young children alone. She worked hard and loved her children dearly. Her children were her source of pride through out her life. They were her testimonies to her belief in humanity.
Whenever I start to feel sorry for myself because I am tired or uncomfortable, I think of how Marie had to of felt. She felt like a puppy on a leash as she dragged the oxygen tubing everywhere she went. The tubing made her face chapped and dried her skin. The lack of oxygen would make her tired and her inability to exercise made her muscles grow weak. Yet as I stated before, Marie would show amazing courage, as she would smile say, “Everything will be okay Rheeea!” What amazing strength she possessed.
I know Marie is still close and showing her love while giving me constant encouragement of things to come. Her life serves as a reminder to me - a reminder that even when times are hard, they could be much worse and I am blessed to go and come as I please. I take for granted the ability to breathe without assistance and get what I need without depending on others. Marie was an angel on earth that showed much what true courage is.
As I said before, Marie was never in battle to show fearless bravery in the face of death but instead she was in the midst of life showing fearless bravery in feeling and showing love. In spite of experiencing an mountainous amount of life’s hardships and betrayals and injuries to her heart – Marie was not afraid to feel or show love. She took life in stride with smile and laugh and she enriched everyone’s life she met.
She was never afraid of love even though it had hurt her many times. Her love was shown to many but the closest to her heart was her children. Her voice would fill with pride as she would speak of her daughter Brenda and how smart and talented she is. She would tell everyone she met about her sons Steve and Brian. Steve had a career in the Navy and Brian was such a hard worker ! Her children were deep source of pride.
If you are looking for a lessons in this Chapter/Article - then read it again because it is right in front of you. Marie raised three successful children on her own. In spite of what life gave her – she never turned bitter and refrained from love. During the last years of her life, she awoke alone with a plastic mask on her face and yet behind that mask was a huge smile and twinkling eyes. Marie knew and was love.
Tomorrow morning when you wake up - start counting your blessings instead of your problems. No matter what love or life has given you in the past do not fear love but instead show true courage in embracing it. No matter what happens - do not let it alter the way you view life. When you think life has given you more than you can handle …. Think of Marie.
To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead.
Bertrand Russell
In reality, serendipity accounts for one percent of the blessings we receive in life, work and love. The other 99 percent is due to our efforts.
Peter McWilliams
Every human being on this earth is born with a tragedy, and it isn't original sin. He's born with the tragedy that he has to grow up. That he has to leave the nest, the security, and go out to do battle. He has to lose everything that is lovely and fight for a new loveliness of his own making, and it's a tragedy. A lot of people don't have the courage to do it.
Helen Hayes (1900 - 1993)
