don wixon lost his older sister marilyn recently. she lived near boston, was 77, and was surrounded by her family, including don, when she died.
don told me about this in a phone call we had the other day and i was moved by something he said.
he said that marilyn was viewed by everyone in her family as the acorn from which the family tree grew. she was the sturdy one, always there to help her younger siblings and their families.
that was important to don: don said his mother died when he was young and marilyn became "a sort of surrogate mother" for him, guiding and protecting him, making sure he was on the right path, which included taking up sports and veering from trouble. "i wouldn't be the person i am today without her," he said.
his story struck me because i too lost a parent early (my father died when i was five) and my cousin, 11 years my senior, helped raise me. her name was also marilyn, and she was an all-star shortstop in the elmira, ny chapter of the all american girls professional baseball association. (the same one in the movie, "league of their own.") she helped teach me to throw.
when don said, "i wouldn't be the person i am today without her," i felt glad for don, very glad that he had his older sister, and, felt glad, too, that i had my cousin. then i thought: it's probably true of all of us, that we wouldn't be who we are, including ball players, without someone taking an interest in us, and guiding us down the path to first.
condolences, don. bless your sister.
-mike
-- Edited by mhart on Wednesday 24th of April 2013 11:57:42 PM
Don, my deapest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your sister. Obviously she will be very missed by you and your other siblings. May she rest in peace in the Lord's care.
Thank you to all my baseball playing friends for your kind words and thoughts. I was lucky to have such a great sister and more than just a sister she was a great woman in so many ways to so many people. She will always be in her families hearts and the hearts of the wider community she touched with her grace.
