Ms Mickey

The following writing was read before friends and family as part of a memorial service for Mrs. Marth Frost. A true Texas treasure.

Good afternoon, am honored to be here to help celebrate the life of a true Steel Magnolia…. Martha Frost…or As I knew her as Ms Mickey. My name is Barbara Magana Robertson…

Ms Mickey has known me my entire life. In fact she has known all by brothers and sisters their entire lives. And not many people can say this but she has known my father Sam Magana since he was 13 years old.

For every Magana birth, graduation, anniversary, and wedding she has shared these moments with my family…as family should.

For years I have had the sheer pleasure of decorating the Christmas tree for Mr and Mrs Frost. As many of you may know, Ms Mickey loved Christmas. Her passion for Christmas is something that my mother, Delia Magana and I shared with Mrs Frost. Decorating the tree was something more than hanging lights and ornaments. Mrs Mickey knew that Christmas time meant she was going to see people she loved…she would see family.

Ms Mickey has an extensive collection of ornaments. Some of the ornaments were of once dolls she and her sister had as children. She has several cross ornaments that Harry Gordan himself gave her as Christmas gifts. But my favorite by far are her extensive collection of hallmark ornaments that she collected throughout the years. These ornaments move, whistle, chirp… they make all kind of noises and best of all light up. But most important…made her happy.

Her adoring son, Ford, a few Christmases ago gave her a special gift that gave her pure joy. This gift was a stuffed reindeer that sat in a wooded rocking chair…and when you turned it “on” it sang that silly song “grandma got run over by a reindeer” . She cherished this reindeer. She would asked me to turn it on, while she watched me decorate the tree….she would giggle like a little girl at certain parts of the song. When she heard enough she would say "ok turn it off". I am not sure if it was the reindeer, the song or the fact that Ford gave it to her that brought her so much joy.

For those of you who know my father, you know that Christmas decorating is not something he does. Give him a horse, a rope, some cattle …but Christmas decorating is not his forte. However when Ms Mickey called a few Christmases ago…. to her beloved Sammy and said “Sammy… I need some hay”…..My father said,"how much"? …she said, "I am not sure I just need some". My Daddy being the forever loyal staple in her life…. wanted to fill her request. So he loaded a bale of hay and went over to their house. When he arrived she raised her hand and said "I need about this much"… only about a hand full. You see, she had been decorating her nativity scene. My father was glad to help her put the finishing touches on her manger.

Through the years I have had many memories with the Frost family…but one of my fondest was this past Christmas. I was over at their home decorating the Christmas tree. Mr frost just had his dinner.This was the first Christmas that Ms Mickey could not sit up and watch me decorate their tree. MS Mickey was already in failing health and bed ridden and she was in her makeshift bed room. Mr Jay decided to he wanted to she his wife that evening. And told his Nurse….”Nurse I at want to see my wife". Now this was not as easy as you would think. But after a little determination Mr frost made his way in his wheelchair to the foot of Ms mickey’s bed. When she realized he was there, in a clear and valid voice she said the following words… I adore you, I adore you, I adore you Jay Frost…and with a steady voice he said I love you to Mrs Frost…good night Baby. Although this was a private moment…I was touched by their love for one another that has endured over the years.

This reminded me of the time I asked Ms Mickey about the first time she saw Mr Jay…in her words…”he was a handsome young man speeding across Galveston waters in a boat I did not know who he was…I just knew he was going fast”. I said, "Ms Mickey how did you finally catch him"…she replied, “I am not sure I guess he slowed down”.
I am glad that he slowed down enough to have his life’s greatest jewel….his baby, Mrs Frost.

On behalf of the Magana Family….I thank you for letting us share these memories with you here today.