Rita Phillips Mairs
From my earliest days, I had a very special playmate---my cousin Mary. Today, in this time of great loss, my mind keeps turning to those happy, sun-filled days that Mary and I took turns navigating what was to us a very long and steep hill, in her little red wagon.
Over and over, we rode the path that wound down that steep hill. It went from her house to the river's edge. Oh, what delight and glee!!! We were so pleased with the thrill of it all!
By the second summer, I had my own little red wagon, which was carried with us on every visit to Mary's house.
Taking turns, each with her own wagon, Mary and I found one of us to be at the top of that hill when the other was at the bottom, having passed each other in the "shuffle". With two wagons, the thrill and excitement were quadrupled!!!
As the years passed, my visits with Mary came to be at the home of my parents, Lenna and Charley Phillips and at Mary's house, both in Fayetteville. Throughout the years, I saw the joy Mary found in her family, especially in her son and her granddaughters. She continued to nurture her bonds with her extended family. She blessed us all.
Thank you, Mary, for all the good times that you showed me and that you showed all those who shared your life.
In loving memory, Your cousin Rita