Good morning…
On Saturday, I received a text from my dad in Ohio: “I received a message from Ingar (Margit’s son). He said that Margit passed away this morning. She passed peacefully surrounded by family.” She passed away at her home in Norway, pictured above in April of 2020.
Margit spent a year with our family as a foreign exchange student during her junior year of high school, in 1975. We have remained quite close as her American family for over fifty years. My dad figures Margit was 69 years old when she passed away from pancreatic cancer.
On Saturday, my husband Steve and I were in Highlands, North Carolina. He was performing a wedding that evening for an alumni of the Lovett School, where he has been a chaplain for over thirty years. We were in our hotel room on that rainy morn when we got the sad news of Margit’s passing.
After exchanging some texts with family members and a few friends, I decided to process my feelings by swimming in the outdoor pool. Sadness. Gratitude. Admiration. Remembering. Joy. Great memories. Grief. Praying for Margit’s family and friends in Norway and around the globe. Thinking of my parents and siblings in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The sky was white/gray, like the photo above, and raindrops drizzled down as I swam solo, lap after lap after lap.
At one point, I looked up and noticed a white/gray butterfly, the exact same color as the stormy sky. This tiny creature was awkwardly skipping across the surface of the water. Landing. Trying to fly. Landing. Trying to fly. Landing. Trying to fly. She was getting further and further away from side of the pool as I watched her, flitting, fighting, floundering. Eventually, I decided to gently cup my hands beneath this beautiful little being, and I pushed her onto the safety of the pool deck. She lay motionless in a puddle of water as I went back to my swimming.
After a few more laps, I went to check on the winged creature. I looked for her, but she was gone.
I thought of Margit. Her soulful spirit was also gone from this world. Then I remembered the last words Jesus spoke from the cross. Father, I entrust My spirit into Your hands! And with those words, He exhaled—and breathed no more (Luke 23:46, VOICE). I personalized the prayer on Margit’s behalf. Father, I entrust Margit’s spirit into Your hands! On Saturday morning, she exhaled – and breathed no more.
As I process Margit’s passing, I find comfort in the promises of God. Your body will become part of the dust of the earth again. But your spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7, ICB). Jesus replied, “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43, CEB). Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6, EHV).
The spirit of Margit lives on. Beyond our sight. Beyond our understanding. Beyond our wildest imaginations.
…Sue…
P.S. Another 67 year old friend passed away on September 3rd. This morning, Steve and I will go a service to celebrate the vibrant life of Kathy Coletti. Please enjoy reading her obituary. The beautiful picture of Kathy looks just like I remember her as we raised our families together. I have always loved her dimply smile, her sparkly eyes, and her welcoming spirit. Please keep the Coletti family in your prayers.
