a sweet duo (#2)

For the next week, I will reflect on some of the people who have shaped me during the past 29 (and holding) years.  I think these people are some that loved me the most.  These folks believed in me and brought me to where I am today.  Some I am in contact with often and others I only see once a year if lucky, but still, they formed me in to who I am today (an almost 30 year old woman).

As I made my list of people who formed me, the first pair that came into my mind were Clark and Marguerite Holt.  Or as I lovingly referred to them- Mr. Clark and Mrs. Marguerite.  When I reflect on the two of them a smile immediately spreads across my face.

This is the summer of 2001.  Mrs. Marguerite, Mr. Clark, and I spent 3 weeks together that summer-
one week at the beach with family and 2 weeks in Europe.  Mrs. Marguerite took groups to Europe for
several years and I was lucky enough to go the summer before my junior year. 

I think the most obvious fact about the Holts is that they instilled in me my love for Wake Forest.  I don't think they ever doubted that I would attend Wake Forest University.  I will never forget how excited they both were when I told them I had gotten in!  I was admitted to Wake Forest early decision in December and for Christmas that year Mr. Clark and Mrs. Marguerite gave me a collectible Wake Forest snowman- named Alice.  I pull her out every Thanksgiving and put her way in February (or when I'm done with snow).

I was the babysitter for their grandchildren when they came in for visits to Reidsville.  When I was in the 7th grade their first grandchild was born.  Just 3 short weeks before their second daughter got married.  I spent the wedding weekend babysitting sweet baby Elizabeth.  I was almost 13 and watching a 3 week old baby- crazy I know, but they trusted me like part of the family:)

Who knew I used to be so young?  This is a picture from the beach trip when there were only 4 grandkids-
there were 3 born in the same year! The youngest of the trio must have been taking a nap. 

I spent many summers traveling with the growing extended family to the beach.  The first time I went I had 4 children to watch, then 6 and now there are 9 total grandchildren.  The weeks I spent at the beach were some of my favorites.  I loved my conversations with Mrs. Marguerite on the deck.  I loved to hear her 'pearls or wisdom' and simply soak in all she had to offer.

I will never forget one summer when Mrs. Marguerite was already at the beach and all the girls and their families had full cars.  Margaret, the Holt's oldest daughter, called and said "Mary Taylor, I hate to do this to you, but you're going to have to ride with Daddy to the beach."  I didn't quite understand why she said it like that until I got in the car.  Mr. Clark took what I would call the 'scenic' route and he wasn't much in a hurry.   We took our time driving, chatting and driving through more small towns than you could imagine.  And then he took me to Spivey's Corner, the Hollerin' Capital of the Universe.  Who knew there even was such a thing?? But hey, we got cool t-shirts.

I am thankful for all that Mrs. Marguerite and Mr. Clark did for me as a young child and teenager.  They taught me more than I can put into words.  Then thing I learned from them that will serve me well in this new decade of life is the importance of intentionally including others.  The way they always included me brought me more joy than they'll ever know.

the Holt clan at our wedding on 12.11.10
This crowd is not everyone, we were missing Tish and her family!