Marilyn McGuire

With heartfelt condolences

Marilyn and I first met in the 4th grade when she transferred into my school. I was 'teacher's pet', class leader and suddenly here she was....same name, cute, new, interesting...I was jealous and afraid of losing may status! I began a sneaky whispering campaign which fortunately I can no longer remember! When some classmates stopped talkingI called her o to her and I realized what awful thing I had done I called her on the phone on Saturday....."I am so sorry, I feel terrible that I hurt you....." there was a very brief pause and then, "Okay, can you come over to my house and we'll have lunch?" Over hot dogs on red paper plates and orange napkins.....I c an't believe you forgave me!" "Well, I couldn't believe you said you were sorry....Ive never apologized to anybody in my life!" Totally impressed with one another, we began a wonderful best friend connection that enriched my growing up years immeasurably! Of course it was bolstered by the fact that we were both named Marilyn and that my birthday was June 21, on the summer solstice and she was born exactly six months later on December 21, the winter solstice. That actually seemed like magic to both on us......and maybe it was! We had such adventures, egging each other on, sharing, laughing and learning through the teen years, college, first jobs and to an amazing nine-week trip of a lfetime tour of Europe! The world survived us and we came home, settled down (somewhat), finding our wonderful husbands and marrying in the same year! Building great families, moving to different places, we did not always stay in touch but birthday telephone calls and Marlyn's wonderful son, John driving Marilyn from north Jesey to South Jersey to visit me helped. We spent most visits talking. laughing. crying, totally enjoying, interrupting each other telling the stories about those early years. What a gift you were, sweet, lovable, other self you are, Marilyn.