"One ringy-dingy, two ringy-dingy": A tribute to a woman with a special calling

Steppin' out in style

Always ready for a party, and keen to dress up, Merle has always put herself together with stylish flair. The first dress she bought was a black and turquoise outfit, with adorable kittens on the pockets — a number that made younger sister, Beulah quite jealous.

     

     Family ties are precious things — woven through the years. Celebrating birthdays and special events have always been high on our family's priority lists. 

     This has been especially true for me, I think, having lived so far from most of my Maritime family throughout my life. 

     Celebrations, such as: birthdays, graduations and special anniversaries have helped to create a shared sense of extended family with those dear ones with whom we're nearest. 

     

Beulah and Merle holidaying in New Brunswick in 2010.

"I am pleased to have my daughter, Karen Osborne share the following, in honour of the recent 90th birthday celebration of my sister Merle Robertson." 

— beulah 

     

     Last week we celebrated my Aunt Merle's 90th birthday. What a treat it was to honour this special lady who has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. 

     

Merle and her grand-daughter Brandi.

What a special week it was for Merle: Grand-daughter Brandi flew in from Toronto for the week to share in the festivities, (including a shared salon visit to have fingernails shaped and polished); a time of honouring at a seniors' luncheon at her favourite Salvation Army church drop-in; receiving a special hardcover book of photographs and story about her life; and an evening buffet celebration with 40 of her family and friends. 

"Number, please. . . number, please. . ." 

     Numbers. . . We tend to tend to frame or define our lives by them, don't we? From important dates that are special to us, to the size of our families, to years living in an area, or, the time spent working at a particular job.

     I have become increasingly convinced that one of the most wonderful ways to use numbers is to count the many blessings, or gifts, that God so generously and loving gives to each of us. 

     In honour of my Aunt Merle's birthday, I'd like to count just a few ways that God has gifted us through her life.

     

     Did you know?. . . that Merle was a telephone operator for many years. 

     
     Yes, she worked the old magneto switchboards — putting calls through manually— helping people connect in Saint John, New Brunswick, Vancouver and in Burns Lake, B.C. 

     Merle made front page news, when technology evolved, as she was the one to connect the final switchboard call the northern British Columbia community of Burns Lake in 1967.

     I recently discovered, that as a young high school graduate, Merle had other dreams too. Chosen to give prophecies about her graduating classmates, Merle revealed each imagined future, as she gently dropped rose petals. Her own chosen prophecy, however, hinted at a profession in which she did not follow. 

Here is an excerpt from the prophecy she wrote about her own future. . .

"Far from the haunts of mice and men, in a well-secluded spot, I teach the children their lessons the rest of the world forgot. 

"And, from that old law of Shakespeare, I've learned ne'er to depart. 'Give unto every man thy voice, but unto none thy heart.'" 

— Merle 

Merle and George with groomsmen and maids-of-honour, photographed on their wedding day.

           As it so happened — Merle gave her heart to a rather wonderful, tall, dark and handsome lad, (George Robertson) and the dreams of being a teacher vanished.

     

Estabrook siblings Vincent, Beulah and Merle perform.

     Even though she did not ever pursue a teaching career — throughout her lifetime, and especially into her golden years, Merle showed a teacher's heart in her flair for creatively encouraging others; in her quiet passion to help meet people's needs for inclusion, fun, and continued learning and growing. 

     I am thankful for my Aunt Merle's caring heart; listening ears, gentle eyes, helpful hands, and purposeful feet.

     Family ties. . . Many of you are probably like Merle and my mother, Beulah. They left the family and friends of their youth to establish lives in faraway places, often isolated from kinfolk.

     

     Over the years, Merle's heart for family and extended family has been full. She has supported her immediate and extended family, as well as the ever-widening circle of friends in many practical ways. 

Estabrooks' siblings, (from left): Mary Louise, Glenna Lillian, Beulah Mae, Harvey (Vincent), Merle Jean, Josephine Helen (Joie) and Doris Kathleen. (Circa, 1996).

     

    With love, sacrifice, forgiveness, laughter, hope and prayer, Merle is always eager to gather others in, and to be gathered into, the arms of friendship and shared camaraderie. 

     As my beloved elder over the years, I have especially appreciated the example my Aunt Merle has given me. . . of her faithful trust in God, and quiet tenacity throughout times of difficulty and sorrow; her love of style and ease of laugh; her quiet acceptance in the midst of the disappointments in life.

     

Aunt Merle's infectious smile.

     If I am ever old enough to be in my Auntie Merle's shoes — I'm not sure I'll want to wear purple, (as the poem goes). 

     

     However, I do know that I will want to have the quiet grace and faith that I've observed in this special lady.

Relaxing in a hammock, Karen pens her thoughts.

"Number, please. . . number, please. . ."

     In your hearts, let's give ONE big round of applause for a very fine lady — Merle Jean Robertson. 

— karen osborne