Margaret was born on May 30, 1979 in Shreveport, LA. I can't tell you anything about her first six months of life, because I wasn't born yet. I was born exactly 6 months later on November 30, 1979. There was only one house in between Margaret's and mine, until the mid 80s when she moved down the street and there were 3 houses between ours. From 1979 (probably 1980, considering I was a newborn in 1979) until August of 1987, we played together almost every single day of our lives. In August of 1987, my family moved to Baton Rouge, but that didn't stop us from staying in touch. We wrote letters to each other (this was waayyy before email) and talked on the phone. I even wrote a song titled "Margaret, I miss you" and recorded it on a tape and mailed it to her. Our families met up in Alexandria, LA during the summer and one of us would go home with the other for a week or so. We also got together when I visited my grandparents in North Louisiana or when she visited her grandfather in Baton Rouge. Once we were in college, we drove to visit each other during school breaks. We always stayed close. We got engaged a few months apart and served as each others maids of honor. We went to every bridal shower and wedding event, and before we knew it, we were attending each other's baby showers. I was blessed to be chose as Susie's godmother. Our children aren't as close as we were, but they have seen each other on or around every holiday since they were born. Margaret and I talked weekly for most of our lives, but especially since our children were born. We knew the intimate details of each other's lives, and well as the every day routines, blessings, and struggles. I called Margaret on Monday, December 12, 2011, to discuss what she was giving Susie for Christmas and what we were giving our girls. She didn't answer that night, and I didn't know the reason why for another 24 hours. On that Monday, she collapsed at work and went to the ER. Tests were run and she was transferred to the LSUS hospital to be treated for a brain tumor. Later that day, she had a seizure. She lost consciousness and her brain began to swell. On Wednesday, December 14, 2011, she became an angel to watch over us. I was able to hold Margaret's hand as I said goodbye to the best friend I could ever have, and the sister I never had.
This is who Margaret was to me, but she was also a daughter to Connie and Randy, a sister to Louise, Gregory, and Peter, a wife to Tom, a mother to Susie, a PTA who helped countless patients, and a friend to many.
