Little Mary

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT).

“That’s my brother!” she exclaimed.

Mary and Jim at our wedding, December 7, 2013

My first meeting with my little sister-in-law was at my wedding to Jim. She sat in the front row in her wheelchair watching her big brother and me exchange wedding vows. She was so excited she couldn’t keep quiet.

That was ten years ago. Mary, or “Little Mary” as the family called her, was a developmentally challenged woman/girl. Something happened at birth that prevented her from fully developing mentally. Emotionally, she remained at about four years old. But she was someone to be reckoned with. If something didn’t happen the way she thought it should, she’d let her family or care givers know. When I met Jim and his family of eight siblings, what I noticed the most was the love Mary’s family had for her. She was their treasure.

My husband Jim was Mary’s guardian after their parents died. Every week, he’d go visit Mary in the group home. He’d bring a strawberry sundae and she enjoyed every bite. Don’t talk to Mary when she’s eating, because she would be focusing on her food.

Being a guardian had its responsibilities. Jim had to sign papers. See to her doctor appointments and dental needs. When she was hospitalized, he needed to be there. Jim was her security. Mary also loved her caregivers. Janelle was her best friend and cared for her for more than thirteen years.

Mary loved her strawberry sundaes from Dairy Queen

Mary may have been intellectually challenged, but she was smart. Without hesitation, she could tell you each of her sibling’s name, what their birthdate was, and how old that made them.

After eating her strawberry sundae–she didn’t want any other flavor–just strawberry, Jim would get the children’s Bible out and they would read together. She memorized different portions of what he read. Her favorite was the story about baby Jesus. Before he said goodbye to Mary after a visit, they would pray together. She prayed for each family member and her caregivers. At the conclusion, Jim would coach her with, “And all God’s people said…”

She would say with a loud voice, “Amen!” When we’d leave, she’d always say, “Put your seatbelts on!” She wanted us to be safe.

Mary reading her Bible with Jim.

Last Tuesday, Mary left her earthly home and entered heaven. Now, she is whole and healthy in body and soul and mind.

It was hard to say goodbye to Mary, but we know we’ll see her again in heaven. My brother-in-law Tim, said this in a text to Jim after we told them about Mary’s death, “Mary is finally at peace and in her spiritual body! Praise God!” I like this part, “Jim you were true and faithful to the end. Our Lord will surely bless you for your loyalty and kindness to Mary. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

After Mary died, we could clearly see she was gone–that sprightly spirit wasn’t there any more. Just a shell. I said to her, “Mary, what’s it like?” I imagined the joy and excitement she was experiencing after the difficult transition. Now she was whole and healthy.

But we’re still sad Mary is no longer here. Yet our Savior Jesus, promises us this:

God blesses you who weep now,
for in due time you will laugh (Luke 6:21).