the gift of herself she gave so freely

Peggy Phelps Manring

a wonderful spirit visited us for a time

in the body we called Peggy, Phelps, Manring,

I enjoyed the gift that was Peggy,

as we taught together at Carolina Friends School,

her devotion to the student inspired me, led me,

her devotion to the staff, to art,

called us to continually refigure 

how to be what a school should be,

and we always enjoyed her sense of humor,

as things were worth a laugh for perspective, 

I remember the twinkle in her eye as she’d enjoy the moment,

when our own children were young and adorable,

she cautioned me about what the teenage years can bring,

when our own children were teenagers, 

works in progress,

I asked her for advice,

she counseled me to wait till they’re about 20,

that the best you hoped for them to learn and be

actually takes hold within them, 

and their selves could again be as delightful

as when they were the youngest,

I know her children Kent and York,

and through them I know the depth of Peggy best,

for she expressed who she was eloquently 

in how each of her boys lives well who they are,

Peggy’s story moved away 

from my firsthand knowledge these last decades,

yet I know that all she touched 

were better for the gift of herself

she always gave so freely.

by Henry H. Walker

July 5, ‘20