Mary Poppins Syndrome

I conducted a funeral recently for a person who was ‘afflicted’ with Mary Poppins Syndrome, as I learned from one of his carers. The man was very special. Mary Poppins Syndrome (not a known biological condition) is a designation given to anyone who is practically perfect in every way. It was said of this gentleman, who lived just short of 85 years, that he was exceptional, given that it is practically impossible for a man (women’s humour) to suffer from Mary Poppins Syndrome.

Do you know anyone who is so special that they have eccentricities beyond your comprehension?

A person so kind as to never even think a bad thought about anyone let alone behave in an unkind way.

Someone who, when they’re gone, gives you the distinct feeling they were an angel even before they left this earth.

While it might be unlikely anyone can measure up to the practically-perfect-in-every-way tag, there are so many people in our sphere of concern who might qualify enough. It’s Christmastime. It’s that time of year to give. Not that we need a season or reason or excuse to give.

But here’s my question: is there someone in your life who is practically perfect in every way; a real person who is anything but perfect, but who always tries to bring their best? Who is always about other people. Who never gives up serving others.

Is there something we can give to a person who fills that bill? Not just a material gift, but an acknowledgement or encouragement. It could be something they might give to another person. Is there something you think they honestly deserve? Perhaps it’s someone, possibly a family member or parent, you still incredibly miss. Not to make you sad, this reflection is intended to cause thankfulness.

It’s at funerals where I see a kind of look in people’s faces that I rarely see. It’s when they’re suddenly stopped in their tracks by the solemnity of the encounter, and are forced into the mode of reflection, when they face the temporal nature of life amid death, even if only for a moment.

Such a moment invariably evokes some kind of emotional response. It’s in these moments that we suddenly realise the pockets of Mary Poppins Syndrome that envelop so many mere mortals who walk this earth — those who loved us the best they could and left their legacy of love upon us.

Nostalgia brightens good memories and, untainted by time, they remain an eternal possession.