Marcy

       Swatch watches were all the rage in 1985.  The girl who sat next to me in Freshman computer class had one and, although I don’t recall the specific style, I do recall it being incredibly “gnarly to the max,” so much so that I begged my parents to let me have one.  The colorful, plastic bands were trendy, expensive, and a bit frivolous, but very “in” with the cool crowd. Even though she was “The Girl With the Cool Watch,” Marcy didn’t need the Swatch to be someone.  

     Marcy was sunshine.   

     Marcy was the kind of effervescent person who had an infectious smile and contagious laughter.  Her bubbly, sweet presence added warmth to my high school years, and to everyone who was fortunate enough to be adjacent to her.  You could hear Marcy’s distinct laughter rise above the crowd and couldn’t help but be lifted right along with it.    

     A genuine joyful soul, Marcy was kind and friendly to everyone. One day I was behind her in the lunch line, waiting for the amazing homemade pretzels that the nuns served on occasion.  These pretzels were so delicious that they would sell out very quickly.  The girl in front of Marcy was short 25 cents, unable to buy one of the coveted treats. Without hesitation and without being asked, Marcy gave the girl a quarter.  Her generosity and kindness were woven into the fabric of her being.    

     Marcy was one of the first girls I befriended at Villa Maria Academy.  We shared a handful of classes and I was able to witness firsthand how deep her kindness ran. A natural teacher like her mother, Marcy inherited her mom’s patience and intelligence.  Marcy was one of those go-to people if you needed help in figuring something out because she was happy to explain and toil through it with you. I can hear her saying, “Sure,” always happy to oblige. 

       On the morning of Friday, September 23, 1988, Marcy and her mother awoke to a raging fire which started on the first floor of their home.  They tried to leave but succumbed to the smoke and did not escape. Despite the fact that we never saw our sweet Marcy again, what never left was her beautiful essence.  The spirit of Marcy never faded from the halls of VMA or from the hearts of those around her.  Her legacy became woven into the tapestry of our lives.

       For me, Marcy’s legacy is her embracing nature, overflowing compassion, and outstanding character.  She didn’t look down upon people, but rather she inclusively and generously doled out kindness.  Inherently, Marcy embraced the loving path.  To this day, Marcy is still very much present in my daily life.  Whenever I look at people, I try to approach them all indiscriminately with Marcy’s spirit of unconditional love. 

     I try to be sunshine, like Marcy.  

     Her spirit moved me so deeply, I have never stopped thinking about her.  Despite the fact that our time together was swift, Marcy’s beautiful soul remains indelible in my heart and an active agent in my life, aspiring to be like her.