Ms Marge always had bright-colored dangly earrings. Back in the day she was a radio deejay in Marlin, Texas. I found that out one day while she sat on my couch with one long lanky leg swung over the other.

When my family met her she was retired and lived in a trailer in our subdivision. She was hard of hearing, but she was a great listener. I'd like to say Ms Marge would drop by our house to visit me, but I know better.

Ms Marge was a dear friend to both of my daughters. Rylie, though only about three, would sit still on the couch right beside Ms Marge. With her right thumb in her mouth, her left hand was touching or else gently batting at whatever earrings Ms Marge was wearing. Ms Marge bought her her first apron and mixer. It was Ms Marge who inspired a four year old Rylie to become a cooker.

Hallie and Ms Marge had a dear friendship too. Ms Marge and a delightful crew of ladies from our church threw Hallie a surprise party for her tenth birthday. These ladies, the Ladybugs (as they called themselves), gave Hallie a ladybug necklace making her somewhat of a mascot. She was their Babybug.

Everyone should have a Ms Marge. Or maybe a Ms Irleen who invites them to her house weekly for a month to bake and decorate cakes. They could have a Ms Carolyn who steps in every year as an honorary grandma for Grandparent's Day and goes to lunch with them every year for a back to school celebration.

Every girl needs a Ms Ruth to give her special hugs who remembers her on her birthday and every Christmas.

A girl could use a solid, Christian college-age friend named Rebecca who texts them every now and then to check in and see how life is treating them.

My girls have been blessed with these dear friends, and many, many more. These ladies weren't peers and they weren't family. They chose to be a part of my daughters' village and their impact has been invaluable.

I passionately believe that every girl needs an older girl or lady to invest in them (who didn't have to.)

Its summer. Calendars are a little more open. So here's your chance...a worthy mission. Find a girl! She could be your neighbor, a girl at your church, your niece, someone whose mom works long hours (or isn't around at all.) Take her to get a shake or to go see a movie.

Better yet, I know a good book you could get her and read with her.

Share your life experiences. Listen to hers. Be the friend she didn't know she needed. You just might find a purpose you didn't know you had.

Just as a mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

1 Thessalonians 2:7,8

I'm ordering shirts next Friday for Village Girls and ladies. They're $20 and super comfy.