My cousin Marsha has spent her whole life caring for other peoples children.  She got married in her twenties to a wonderful man named Rod.  Together they had three wonderful children.  While Marsha had two of those children, she ran a daycare from her home.  Her husband was in the military, and they moved often.  Each time, Marsha would soon be caring for the children of those on the navy base.  As Marsha's children got older, she continued to take care of other kids. 

 When Marsha was forty, child number three came along.  That new baby just made Marsha want to raise other babies, too.  By this time,her husband was a civilian.  Marsha found herself taking children that no other daycare would take.  Children of crack addicts, and those placed by social services.  Marsha would often take all the children on outings. To the park, the mall, and places they might never have gone otherwise.

  While Marshas last child was still a baby, Marsha was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She took her treatments, and continued to care for the children.  She fought hard, and beat the cancer. 

  Marsha spent the next eighteen years raising other children.  She provided them a safe and loving home.  Sometimes the single mothers would forget to pick them up!  Marsha would just keep them, until the Moms showed up.  Even though she knew they might be doing drugs, or partying.  Marsha loved all the children, and believed that she was helping, by allowing the parents time to get well.

  I almost forgot to mention, Marsha also had been taking care of her Mother, at this point.  She was suffering from alzheimers, and Marsha found time to look after her every day.  She made sure she was eating, and getting to her dr. appts.

  When Marshas youngest son was 17 years old, her husband Rod was diagnosed with a terminal cancer.  By this time, they had been together 35 years.  Marsha kept Rod at home, with the assistance of Hospice, they spent their last months together.

  Marsha lost her beloved Rod, and continued to live her life with no complaints.  She was still caring for all those children that had no where else to go.

  Marshas youngest son graduated high school, and moved out.  Marsha spent her time between caring for her Mother, and the children. 

  Just a few short years after losing Rod, Marsha also lost her Mother.  Some might have said the burden was just too much.  Marsha was just thankful that her Mother was at peace.

  Last year, 2010 Marshas cancer returned.  Once again she faced her illness with the courage of a lion.  She worried about who would care for the children.  After all, by this time she had raised hundreds of children!  She fought her cancer once again, and won.  By this time Marsha was 65 years old.

  Our family is having a reunion this month.  Marsha will not be coming.  She is caring for two foster children that had no where else to go.

My cousin Marsha is the most selfless person I have ever known.  Each time we talk on the phone, she wants to know how everyone else is doing.  She never speaks of her illnesses, or herself at all.  She only wants to know that everyone else is OK.