Mary Jo

Jan 20, 2019

I am not the best friend, because I always had sisters. I embrace people in the moment and love their company, but I respect their right to move on and to have better friends than me. There is one person though, that I am not related to but who enriched my whole life.

My first friend in school, that I remember, is Mary Jo. We were somehow joined at the hip for all of grade school and went to the same high schools as well.
I remember walking to her home and playing all day. She was an only child when we met.  I was the youngest of two girls. In the end she had two younger brothers and I ended up two younger sisters and one brother, so our homes remained totally different.

After high school, we went our separate ways. I joined the work force and went to night classes as it pleased me. She went to college, becoming a physical therapist. I receive birthday and Christmas cards from her every year. I am not that consistent.
Mary Jo was always the kind one. She was smart and pleasant and gentle. I was the one fighting to be funny and I was bossy and clumsy. I remember one year we had identical coats and from behind we looked like twins. Her aunt would see us in church and not know who was who as we sat together in our class pews. She said we even wiggled the same way.
Mary Jo has two sons and grandchildren that she dotes on. We still stay in touch, her more than me. She is a nurturer. She sews beautiful toys and outfits for her grandchildren, including masterful Halloween costumes. Her heart broke after her husband lost a battle with cancer. She is a young widow, my age, and has never wallowed in grief. Her posts and contacts express her sadness, but still highlight the joy and satisfaction she has received from her family and friends.
I may not be the greatest person, but God still keeps great people in my life. People like Mary Jo. I am indeed blessed because of her.