I started working with Margaret Green at the American Trucking Association in the early 80’s. Several years later, she left for a job in California. Leaving her car on the East coast became a problem for her, so I offered to sell it. She never forgot that small favor on my part.
Margaret did not have a particularly easy life. She had an accident on the job which caused her much physical pain and professional hardship for many years. In 2000, she and I fought breast cancer together, but she had many more subsequent problems. Her last major problem was congestive heart failure.
Although Margaret was divorced when I met her, she did have one son, Michael, who is now a law professor. The fact that he lives in Texas never kept him from assisting his mother, whether she lived in Illinois or Kentucky. No mother could have asked for a better son and she was, justifiably, very proud of Michael.
Margaret enjoyed reading our travel blog. She could hardly wait for the next blog to appear. She traveled vicariously, since she could not physically travel. I’m sure, without her health problems, she would have enjoyed traveling.
Through all of these problems and the many others that Margaret had to deal with, one of the things that impressed me the most was her positive attitude – she didn’t complain or feel sorry for herself. She was also quite a fighter – she ‘questioned’ her doctors constantly and fought to get any type of therapy that she felt would help her. Perhaps that was all part of her incredible will to live – despite the constant pain she lived with and the hardships created by her disabilities.
Margaret was a very special lady, a great inspiration and a wonderful friend, mentor and ‘life coach’ who will be truly missed. It was an honor to have her as a friend.
Pat
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