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Thursday, January 10, 2013

The "True Friend Marg: Part I" Story

It was an ordinary day.  And .... too many months have passed before I took the time to write another story about one of my wife's bestest and longest friends.  Don't know if "bestest" is really a word, but if it is then it surely fits the occasion.  My wife Carol met Marg in 1971, just before our first son was born.  Marg was also having a son and the two met at a La Leche League meeting before the births.  The League is an organization who supports and helps women who plan to breast-feed their children.  The two hit it off right away and well ....... the rest is history.  Marg and Carol talk on the phone a few times a week and try to get together for breakfast or lunch every couple of weeks.  Have been doing this for over 40 years now.  There have been up times and down times, but a true friendship as this is has lasted forever.  The reason for my story today and tomorrow is to talk about Marg's artistic talent.  No one ever has ever praised her in writing about those talents, but I thought it needed to be done.  To me she would be a natural to illustrate a children's book.  Hopefully someone will read this and give her a shot at what she loves to do.  Today I will share with you some of her cards she has sent over the years while tomorrow I will show you what she has been up to for the last few years.  Carol and I have received too many cards to count, but we try to remember to keep all of them, since each is so special to either her or me.  Some of her artwork is done in colored pencils while others are done in either marker, pen and ink or watercolor.  All are remarkable as you will see in the samples below.  Are you ready for the new artist?  A little info will accompany each work of art.

This was sent to our youngest son while he was in the hospital fighting a case of mono.  Inside the care read "The Easter Bunny Won't Know Where To Leave Your Basket ..... If You Don't Get Out Of The Hospital!  Get Well Soon!"  Tad was in high school at the time.  
This watercolor was for my wife and it said: "I was looking at a magazine with beach pictures ..... thinking how nice it would be to have young skin again .... well just to be young again.  When I see beach pictures, you always come to mind."

The cover and inside of a card Marg sent to Carol after Carol made her a sweater for a Christmas gift.  Pen and ink with colored pencils.

This card was done on a paper lunch bag.  Front shows them in 1971 while the bottom shows them whenever.  Neat card for a birthday!  Pencil and colored pencils.
This is done on a much larger card with pen and ink, colored pencils and some watercolor.    This is another birthday card and on the inside says: "As we get older we k now what we Want!  So I'll give you some!!!"  Then there is another older woman bent over with a cane saying: "I WANT CHOCOLATE (and something young to LOOK at).  The inside is too large to scan and show.
Inside this pen and ink with pencils says: "You Get Birthday Presents To Use When You Knit For Them!  Happy Birthday, Marg."  Naturally the present that accompanied the card was yarn.
One of the many Christmas cards that we have received.  This one has a blue bow made from ribbon and what appears to be real hair.  Here's hopping it's not!  Pen and ink and colored pencils.
"Happy Birthday to an Angel of a Friend!" is on the inside of this card which may be done with pen and ink and crayons.

Front and inside of another Birthday Card.  Pretty neat!  Pen and ink and colored pencils.

Well, what do you think?  Have some talent?  Now she just needs some encouragement.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

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