“About Margot”

2016

Dear Friends & Family,

I reviewed my “About” page and decided that I sounded utterly boring.  So, I revised it!  Enjoy!

In 1952, my parents bestowed upon me the birth name, “Margo,” but decades later, I changed the spelling to “Margot:” For the complete story, read the entry, “Vision,” in the Archives of this blog.

I am a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.  I am also a “breast cancer patient,” a fact that connects me to one out of every eight women.  In June 2014, I  received the designation, “breast cancer survivor.”

Stephen and I have been married since 1973.  It has been 43 “wonderful” years – but please — do not bother to ask me, for I never speak about those other years. 

My Professor, also known as Mr. Romance, does not conform to the “Hallmark” calendar — but he does bring me surprise gifts, compliments, and breakfast in bed.

I humor My Professor by pretending to play the role of “Eliza Doolittle” to his “Henry Higgins.”  However, in truth, he performs “Rumpole” to my “Hilda” [“She Who Must Be Obeyed”].

Our two greatest gifts have been our children:  A son, Garrett [born 1979] and a daughter, Haley [born 1985].   In spite of our best efforts to “shake them off,” including moving away from their childhood home, they still managed to find our “empty nest.”

Uncle Garrett and Lucy, on her day of birth


Haley, Daniel, and Benjamin:  Christmas Day 2010

Haley married Daniel in 2006 and they are parents to Benjamin [born in 2009], Lucy [born in 2011], and Gwen [born in 2013].  I assure you that My Professor and I are not like those other “annoying grandparents.”  We are, in fact, quite worse.  From time to time, I will annoy my readers, by posting photographs and quotes about my grandchildren.

“Marmeee” with Benjamin [one-week old]

“Marmee” with Lucy [on her Baptismal Day, November 2011]

“Marmee” with Benjamin and Lucy:  Thanksgiving Day 2011

“Marmee” with Lucy:  Thanksgiving 2011

I have never successfully constructed a garment, created a prize-winning recipe, or designed a room in our home.  However, I do construct, create, and design with words.  I speak and write the Queen’s English but I am quite willing to employ the King’s, if necessary.

I enjoy all things classical, ancient, and sacred:  spaces, gardens, architecture, music, books, art, and liturgy.  “Dr. Adventure” and I relish the challenge of staying awake until nine o’clock every evening, while we read the works of British authors:  among these are C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte, and Jane Austen. We are collecting a library of British authors and BBC “Masterpiece Theatre” films.

You might say that My Professor and I are true Anglophiles:  We even went so far as to join an Anglican Church, St. Peter’s in Tallahassee, Florida!

For fitness, my Professor & I enjoy Taoist Tai Chi, strength training, walking, and swimming laps.  I swim faster than my husband to ensure that he will, after all these years, continue to chase after me.  Someday, I hope to return to Ballet and Pilates.

My indoor interests include calligraphy, reading, writing memoirs, and recording family histories.  However, I complete my domestic chores before pursuing other more stimulating hobbies.  Always.  Of course.  

[Revised 2016]

2 responses to ““About Margot”

  1. Susan Gilbert

    Dear Margo-
    We know you are walking through this process with dignity and honor trusting in the Lord to direct your path and oversee your future- It grieves both Paul and me to see you endure this, but we know it will produce and is producing an endurance, a perserverance, a character and a faith that can never be taken away- We find much joy in knowing that. We also know what a beacon you are to others during this time and our prayer is that the radiance of Christ will fill each hospital room you inhabit- that those who give you medical care will be turned to Christ through your faith and that God Himself will meet you every second of every minute of every hour in your need. Our prayers are over you this weekend, dear friend-
    With all our love-
    Susan and Paul Gilbert

    • margopayne

      Dear Paul & Susan,

      Do you know, I did not have the privilege of reading your comment to me, dated 06.27.09, until I entered the first text of “About Margot,” in December, 2009? Now I am writing a revision to that and I re-read your very encouraging note, written one year ago! As I re-read your comment, I am filled with gratitude, for your very generous offer of prayer and concern. Your prayers, and the prayers of other friends and family, covered me during the weekend when I needed prayer the most. Through your prayers, I was upheld and sustained.

      Coram Deo,
      Margot

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