Family Matters

"Love is sacrificial...It really is an action."

The love between a mother and daughter is dynamic. Those blessed with parents or guardians who uphold that title like an occupation, day in and day out, no days off, pouring every bit of heart into it, understand just how special that gift is. Markie-Rae Dean was raised by her mother. Her parents divorced, so there was a closeness between Markie, her mother, and her mother’s side of the family. Growing up, Markie and her brother went to a small, Christian school where her mom worked. “I was thankful that she worked there and she could be a part of my brother and I’s lives. She was at every game, every event.” Dean recounted. That kind of presence was pivotal for Markie. It even planted a seed, a desire to one day have that same presence in her kids’ lives.

What Markie hadn’t anticipated though, is that the care she hopes to give to her future children, would actually begin with her mother. For the past year, Markie’s mom has gone through cancer. Markie lives with her and her grandmother to be an additional support in whatever way she can. “Whether it be helping cook dinner, helping her in the shower... helping her do her laundry...It may not be what I want to do in my free time, but that’s what love is, is to sacrifice.” Dean said.

A mother sacrifices much for the sake of her children, to give them a good life, and nurture them into adulthood. But there often comes a time for a full circle moment. When the child must sacrifice for the sake of her mother. Very few expect that time to come as soon as it did for Markie.

Life in your twenties, especially for women, is a heavily discussed topic. Books, podcasts, TV, media all create content intended to either guide young women on how to navigate their twenties or use fictious storylines to represent the lives of women in their twenties. How to build the best career, the right approach to dating, maintaining old friendships, while figuring out how to make new ones. And though these subjects are significant, in this season of life, they just aren’t the priority for Markie. “I know it’s for a season. I know it’s not forever. That’s not to say that I don’t want to continue to strive in my career, because I do, but yeah, family is the priority.”

During a season that is typically devoted to self. Markie has chosen sacrifice. Three generations united under one roof, pouring into each other, leaning on one another, and being each other’s support during challenging circumstances. Whether it be her Christian upbringing or her relationship with God that’s strengthened in recency, Markie’s life is a shining example of what love truly looks like.

Read more of Markie's story by purchasing Issue 5 of Nobody's Nobody Magazine.