Marcy

I figure I met Marcy about 35 years ago. We lived in the same college dorm our freshman year. Our rooms shared a common telephone and it was actually kept in a little compartment in the wall that we could access from our rooms on either side. Marcy was so small that she could fit in the telephone box and she crawled through that box on more than once occasion. Anyway, we hit it right off as friends. We had some things in common and yet we were worlds apart on other things. She was a southern CA city girl, I was an ID country girl. She came from a wealthy family with two brothers, I came from a middle income family with six siblings. She was popular in high school - a cheerleader with suitors lined up around the block. Me, not so much (not at all actually on the suitor front.) She was a convert to the church and her parents were not members. I came from a very active LDS family and I was raised in the church. She was small and short. I was tall and thin. We looked like Mutt and Jeff.
In spite of our differences, our similarities won out. We loved Rock and Roll music. We loved to laugh and have a fun time. We loved to try out new adventures. We loved to talk and share ideas and secrets. We loved attending college, but we loved the social aspect even more. We had goals and aspirations and we had many boy crushes. We dated boys who hung out together at the time and that made for some fun interactions. She introduced me to different ideas and ways of looking at things. I introduced her to skiing and she visited me faithfully when I ended up breaking my leg. We both loved the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And now comes the good part - she literally changed my life for good. No question about it.
She decided to serve an LDS mission. She got called to cold Minnesota. She prepared to serve and right before leaving to enter the mission home, she came to Utah to spend some time with me and to ski. What were we thinking, going skiing right before she entered the mission home? What IF she would have been injured? We were fool hardy and intrepid, and thought we were ten feet tall and bullet proof, just like most 21 year olds. She asked ME, her friend to escort her to the mission home and help her get check in. I felt very honored to have the opportunity. And that very day, my life changed because I was with her. I felt the unquestionable prompting that I should serve a mission too while I was helping take her bags into the living quarters. There were many bunk beds with bright yellow bed spreads on them. I just felt our Saviors love so strongly and I felt the impression that I should serve as well. If this little five foot nothing girl who weighed 95 pounds (who came from a family who didn't belong to our church, one who could put her own plans and goals and aspirations on hold to serve) could line up to be counted, then I could line up as well.
She changed my life for good. I'll be forever grateful for her example, for her encouragement and for her friendship. It took a very strong impression along with her example to convince me to do it, but I'm eternally grateful that I did. I cried all the way home after I dropped her off. Part of the reasons for my tears was because I wouldn't see her again for a year and a half. Part was because I knew what my own future was going to be. I didn't even listen to my new Gary Wright "Dream Weaver" 8 track cassette tape that I just bought. I just contemplated that my life was going to change ~ and it did! In ways I can't even describe.
We've kept in touch through the years. Visits, calls, Christmas cards, visits to her home, visits to mine. Last weekend I went to visit my friend Marcy in her home again. She is the mother of five wonderful sons. Four of the five are return missionaries and are married in the temple. They are pursuing their education and starting worthwhile employment. After being the only girl for so many years, she now has four daughters-in-law and a beautiful granddaughter. Her youngest son is a junior in high school and will undoubtedly follow the footsteps of his brothers. She and her good husband Bruce have raised a great family. I'm so proud of my little friend Marcy! We spent the entire weekend talking, laughing, listening to some favorite tunes, going to movies, getting a pedicure, going to lunch, sharing trade secrets, shopping, seeing the sights of her city and just enjoying every second of being together. I continue to learn from her. We continue to confide in each other. We continue to share our lives. Our personalities are quite similar. We like to "say it like it is" and forge ahead in things we are doing. I think we encourage each other to be the best we can be. So this one's for you Marcy! I have been changed for good because of YOU. Love you dear friend...