It is normal for those who lose a loved one to feel sadness and a sense of great loss. However, the undisputed truth is that all who are granted the blessing of being born will also face the truth that life will come to an end. The only way to avoid the sadness associated with the inevitable end of life is for that person not to have been born.
It is not that Mary Hession was blessed with having been given the gift of life, but how she lived the life that is only temporary for all of us.
Mary Hession lived a wonderful life that inspired and impacted a lot of people, and countless of us have been the beneficiaries of her having lived an extraordinary life.
While those who knew Mary would have fond memories of how wonderful she was: what a loving wife she was to her husband, Joe; the inspiring mother to her children Joe and Patrick, and her five grandchildren.
However, if this was all Mary was remembered for, it would be a gross understatement of the tribute she truly deserves.
Those who knew her might ask, “Where would we all be if Mary Hession had not been given the gift of life?”
Without Mary, there would have been no marriage to Joe Hession, no children, Joe and Patrick, and no grandchildren. There would be none of the thousands of friends that Mary accumulated during her life and were blessed by her always caring influence.
Mary was masterful in her ability to spoil her children while at the same time instilling a strong work ethic in them. Her business acumen and drive inspired her children to also believe anything was possible and, by doing so, changed the lives of the countless number of people. This is witnessed by her sons, who by her example have made the Mountain Creek ski area the fun place that it is today, an achievement that would not have been possible had it not been for Mary.
Should we all feel a sense of sadness and grief now that Mary’s time among us has come to an end? Of course! We all will miss Mary! But no one should be sad that she lived! Real sadness and remorse should be left to those who did not live their life well. That was not Mary!
Mary’s life should be celebrated by those who were given the privilege and blessing of having known her and benefited from her life and the wonderful memories that would not have existed had it not been for Mary.
We who knew Mary and the thousands who did not can be thankful that she was given the gift of life. So many of our lives would not have been filled with the fun and enjoyment had Mary not been around to use her extraordinary gifts to help make it happen.
John T. Whiting
Vernon