Ina Marie Edgar was born January 10th, 1981 in Landstuhl, Rheinland-Pfalz, West Germany. A beautiful little blonde haired, blue eyed baby! Her parents were THRILLED! So were her 5 older siblings. She had a short stay in the hospital before she was able to come home. The wait was hard on Mom, but eventually little "Marie" came home to be with her family. In no time at all Marie had us all right where she wanted us. Wrapped around her little finger. Especially Dad. For as long as I can remember, Dad has called her "MY Marie". I can still see the twinkle in his eye that she put there 26 years ago.
One of my favorite memories is when Marie first saw a video of herself. She was so amazed! She started spinning around the room screaming "It's me, it's me. I'm on TV!" I also remember what a big event her first haircut was. She was 3 ½. Dad was so excited that her hair had grown long enough for a trim!
She has always held a very special place in my heart. It is hard to describe. For a long time she was my baby sister who I was so very in love with and protective of. Then she was a teenager! She was outgoing and very active in sports at school and the Young Women Program at church. She had lots of friends and lots of "guy" friends. Then she became this woman! This beautiful, talented, compassionate woman! Then I got a phone call about some guy named Collin Bleak. "He's the one? You're getting married?" She was right. Collin and Marie got married May 25, 2002 in the Las Vegas, NV LDS temple.
Then on May 17, 2003 Marie became a Mother! I waited up all night for Dad to post pictures on the family website. Irish Marie Bleak. She changed Marie's life forever. We got to see a whole new side of Marie. What an amazing mother!
Early 2006, Marie felt like "someone was missing". Now where have I heard that before? She was right. We were not surprised at all. Little Ellie Joy Bleak joined their family on October 26, 2006.
Marie gets so much joy out of caring for her family. She is so incredible with her girls! She calls me often to share with me the new things the girls are learning, or the funny things that Irish says. I love it!
I am not so good with words. I just know how I feel about Marie, and I have a hard time putting it on paper. I love you my little "Buddha". You were my first love. Sounds weird coming from your sister I am sure, but I hope you understand. Guess what, my phone is ringing and it's my sister Marie.
Love you!
Haud
Note from Dad: Yes, I always called her "My Marie!" I had many feelings about her before she was born, and she's always held a special place in my heart. After Mom's death, one of the silver linings on that dark cloud was Marie. I remember nights when I woke up sensing someone was in the room with me. Then I'd see a little image standing next to my bed in the darkness. It was my Marie. I would just reach out and roll her up onto the bed next to me. I think I know why she was there, but it was also comforting to me. About cutting her hair, I think she was closer to 4 or 5 years old. She had the most beautiful soft, curly blonde hair. It was so easy to wash and comb out; and, it was always beautiful. It just didn't seem right to cut it. I remember most of us were at the beauty parlor on the day it was finally cut. (I still wonder if it was the right thing to do.) I still like to call her My Marie, but of course she's found another man who is taller, stronger and maybe better looking than me. And, she now has two beautiful little girls of her own. I guess I need to be a little more careful about what I call Marie. Maybe we should all just call her "Our Marie!"
I love you, Marie!
