One Day Soon, Mary Jo…

On September 3, Jesus dispatched His angels to a hospice bed in Dallas to bring His beloved Mary Jo home. Only two weeks shy of her 92nd birthday, her sweet soul left her weary body to go at last to be with the God she had faithfully loved and served her entire life.

I can only imagine her joy at being in the presence of Jesus! Daily sitting with Him and talking with Him here were wonderful preparations for what she’s experiencing today. Although her times with Him were only “a poor reflection as in a mirror,” today she sees Him “face to face.” And it is well.

I only got to know Mary Jo for 13 years. My husband and I met her and her husband John when we were introduced to our future daughter-in-love’s family. Jennifer’s grandmother was introduced to us as “Mary Jo,” and that’s the name that stuck in my head – long after I learned that the whole rest of the world called her “Jody.” She was always “Mary Jo” to me, and she graciously tolerated me calling her by that name for 13 years. God bless her. I loved that little lady. Everyone loved that little lady.

Mary Jo was tiny and proper, soft and smart, eloquent and gracious. Her eyes always sought out the newcomer in the room. She was the epitome of the “There you are!” personality. Her sharp mind always remembered details from past conversations. One could expect her to ask with authentic care and concern about that family member or some certain situation that had been casually mentioned weeks ago. She was completely others-focused. She was beautiful.

She was sharp and funny, but in a most understated manner – and never at the expense of another. Her little chuckle, unassuming smile, and twinkling eyes were magical. And never was that magic more on display than when she was with the people she loved most in the world – her family.

She lost John within a couple of years of us meeting them. Not long after that, she moved to Dallas to be near her daughter Julie, her granddaughters, and their families. On our occasional lunch outings, Mary Jo would tell funny, endearing stories about John, Julie and her brother Johnny, and the girls. Oh, my – how her love for them shone!

The younger men in her life – her son-in-law and the three men who married her granddaughters – gained instant love, acceptance, and adoration. There was no warming up phase. When the boys married the girls, they were in the club! Mary Jo was always one of the first to congratulate them on promotions, celebrate their birthdays, and commemorate milestones in their lives.

The walls and shelves of her home were adorned with family photos from every age and stage. And each photo had a story that Mary Jo was happy to tell – especially if it was a photo of one of her beautiful granddaughters. Her eyes would seem to see beyond the photo to the day it was taken, and she would fondly recall details that only a grandmother would treasure.

And then Everly was born – the first grandchild in both of her parents’ families and Mary Jo’s first great-grandchild. Sheer joy – how else can I describe her delight in having a little one in the midst of the family again?! Each great-grandchild only made her heart bigger – each one special, unique, and so loved by their Nana. One day, Everly happily mentioned to me that no matter the season, Nana always made her a cup of hot chocolate. In the middle of July, that was a sure sign of love.

Mary Jo had to be one of the most thoughtful people God ever created! She never forgot a birthday, showering her loved ones with cards, gifts, and texts. And if you were fortunate enough to see her on your special day, you also got a Mary Jo hug – the very best!

The special bond that I most treasure about Mary Jo was our mutual love for Jesus and for the Word. The last time I was in her home, we sat in her sun room at the table where she spent her devotional moments with the Lord each day. Her Bible lay open, and we talked about Scripture and messages she had recently listened to, as her eyesight had been declining. Her face beaming, she talked about Jesus as if He were sitting at the table with us - because He was.

Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of sitting with Mary Jo in the hospital for a few hours. She was unconscious, but I brought along my Bible and began to read and pray aloud psalm after psalm over her. In between psalms, I would hold her soft hand and brush back her snow white hair and tell her that Jesus loved her and so did I.

And today she is with Him.

As I write this, the tears fall. I’ll miss her, but I’m grateful for her inspiring example of knowing Jesus so well that she acted just like Him. I’m glad my friend is home, and I’m certain that when I meet Jesus, I’ll get to see her, too.

One day soon, Mary Jo…one day soon. But for now, I’m off to make a cup of hot chocolate for Everly. I know you won’t mind.

“…Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” – John 16:22