Margarita's Birthday
Margo's Birthday
Today (September 14) is Margarita Gavrilovski's birthday.
I have known Margo since 1999 during the time of
the Kosovo War.
We met on Easter Sunday that year - in a snowstorm -
and began a friendship immediately.
I made this picture of Margo the month that
we left Macedonia (September 2012).
I miss her tremendously!
When Amy and her family (then consisting of Christopher and Elijah) came for their first visit to
Gostivar, Macedonia,
they met Brane & Margo and their family.
After hearing about Margo's stories of being
a doctor (especially during the days of the war)
Christopher returned home to write this poem about
Margarita.
a safe space
On a perilous and arduous path,
Early
in the morning.
She’ll arise and awake,
And
journey long to mend and heal.
Mend and make whole your brother’s
enemy,
Let
your love labor for all.
She’ll create a safe space,
In
the midst of war and hate.
Between the
fierce fire of war and the lingering smolder of hate,
She’ll create a safe space.
A safe space
to mend and heal,
To water love and plant peace and
reconcile enemies,
And the hurt
man asked,
Why are you here and why heal your
brother’s enemy?
And she’ll
answer,
Because my brother and his enemy are
one.
When we love
and pray and hope for our brother’s enemy,
And when we reisk and care for and
mend our brother’s enemy,
Then we are
joining the work of angels,
Then we are healing God’s own
fractured heart.
She’ll arise
and early awake,
To nurture a safe and holy space,
Where your
brother and his enemy
May join together in the song and
laughter of peace.
It says it all: Margo cares for people.
She has provided healthcare for Macedonian,
Albanian, and Turkish families for
many years.
Her patients from multiple ethnic groups love her.
So Margo, I wanted to share this poem with you
today - in honor of your birthday.
I love you and miss you,
Shelia
Comments
Post a Comment