I thought I should do a blog post explaining better the meaning behind the name Marjorie. At least on my side. Bo has a Great Grandmother who is also named Marjorie, so maybe he can add something special about her later on.
There are two very special people who have been in my life for a very long time, even before my birth. My parents were married in their yard and a large part of their influence was the reason why I had such a happy childhood. Those two people are George and Marjorie... or better known as George and Jan. When I was two, my family bought and moved into the home that I grew up in and still go home to. It was previously owned by George and Jan, built by Jan's Father, and was the neighboring house next to Jan and George's. It was the perfect house to grow up in. Yes, a little small, but I never noticed it. It had the perfect feel because it was close to town, but had an out of town feeling. My parents purchased 5 acres with it and even better, Jan and George had 100 acres of property that my sister and I were allowed to roam freely on... not to mention that their house just seemed magical!
Summers were a must at Jan and George's house. They had a beautiful pool, which is where I learned how to swim. We spent hours in that pool! Jumping off the diving board, retrieving rings at the bottom of the pool, pretending to be mermaids... it was so much fun! And George was always there to scoop the bugs and leaves off the top of the pool for us. We also played darts, shuffleboard, and ping pong at one time. One of my favorite summer memories though, were the puzzles Jan & George had out on their patio table and how big a deal they both would make when we got a piece of the puzzle completed. Oh and the ice cream bars! What a treat!
Some other childhood memories include Jan and George's grandkids coming to visit! We would make dirt stews in their chicken coop, play house in their cellar, and explore in the barn. Dress up was also a must!
I remember being apart of their Easter Egg Hunts and one of my favorites... The Silly Christmas Gift Exchange. One of my best memories from the Christmas Gift Exchange was when my Grandparents were there too and my Papa got a hairy chest wig. I can still remember his laugh from that evening.
Jan would take my sister and I to church with her most Sundays when I was little. I don't remember much about going, other then Jan was in the choir and I thought she had a beautiful voice. Oh and I remember the donuts they would serve after church was over!
Because of Jan and George I grew a love for pomegranates and a hate for figs (although I'd like to try them again). They were kind enough to let us house our 4-h sheep in their yard for several fair seasons. I learned how to drive a 4-wheeler and ride behind one through the mud on skis that were secured together with two pieces of wood to make a sleigh. (I don't think George was too fond of that, although he never said anything.) Most of all though, they were just a great example of a loving, hard working, all around good couple. You could tell how much they loved each other and I never saw them get mad. They were always so positive and kind. I'll always remember George with his perfect looking hair that had that old fashioned curl to it and Jan looking beautiful in her floral-hawaiin print dresses.
Fast forward to adulthood, and I married the man of my dreams in that same yard where my parents got married and where I created so many childhood memories. And now my kids get to sample those memories when we go back to visit. I am more then honored to use the name Marjorie for my daughter's namesake and I will be one proud mom if she turns out anything like Jan.
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