The Lord Knows….
He knows when we need those special people to enter our lives and so He sent Mary my way. Through a friend connection I was directed that I needed to meet Mary. I was at a low level of confidence and vulnerability in my life due to personal and business circumstances and needed guidance in taking over as sole owner of my apparel company. I immediately felt a calmness after my first visit with Mary. We had a bond from the beginning as Mary was very understanding and interested in my craft as a designer as she too had a love for all things handcrafted.
She jumped right in and assessed the situation and began immediately to help me sort things out. Even after just having a hip replacement, she was soon at my office and diligently proceeding on what needed to be done to stabilize my situation. I’m sure my employees had wondered why I would hire someone that came in with a walker her first day! That didn’t stop Mary one bit and the employees too saw the progress we were making together and things began to settle and my anxiety began to diminish.
The original plan was for Mary to get things organized and stable, then she would help me find someone to take over the financial and business area of the company that she was hired to do as a consultant. After several months I felt I should not take advantage of the situation any longer, as I had become quite comfortable with the way things were progressing. So one day I reluctantly asked Mary the question “I guess it is time to start looking for someone on a permanent basis?” and she quickly replied “Why?” From then on I really realized what a gift the Lord had sent to me. Her wanting to stay was so comforting and heart warming.
She continued to look out for the company and for me. She treated me like a daughter and got to know my two children and guided me on decisions with them. They too got to know Mary and love her. She not only mentored me but them too. They looked up to her for advice and direction and they trusted her. She adopted us like so many here today.
Together we solved issues within the company and agreed to disagree on others, like stockpiling toilet paper! See, Mary always was always prepared and I seem to sometimes fly by the seat of my pants! That’s why we made a good team. Even after she no longer worked with me on a full time basis, we continued to touch base and she always gave me the support and advice I needed.
I believe God crafted Mary to enter and touch my and all our lives. Like every stitch of a needlepoint project, every patch in a quilt, or every seam in a dress, she will forever live on in our fond memories.
God Bless You Mary, you are Forever in my Heart.
—Frances Malik