Happy Birthday Mary Jo

When I write about Mary Jo, it is always hard for me
to keep the writing short and to the point. For one
thing, she is a multi-talented person who has done
so many things, it is hard to know where to start,
much less know when to stop.

I was seven years old and quite surprised one
December morning when I awoke to discover that
someone had left a baby at our house during the night.
Being just a little too old to believe in the stork, and
not old enough to know about the birds and the bees,
I had to believe it was some kind of miracle.

It became my duty to help keep her amused
and out of mischief during her early years. No
problem -- she was quiet and rather musical,
so I could amuse her for hours by either reading
a book or showing her how to play simple tunes
on the piano. Later, she showed skill in playing
the violin. We were all thrilled beyond words when
she won a prestigious music award.

She excelled in more than music. She became
an outstanding student and class leader. She
played in the local symphony orchestra and acted
in several plays where she enjoyed playing comedy
roles. She also appeared in cameos in the annual
Band Follies, and choreographed at least one
Follies presentation.

Then she grew up, got married and had three
children. She didn’t slow down much even then
as she became involved in school, community,
church and even the politics of the day. When
her children were grown, she went back to work
and finally retired from her position with the
University of Michigan Law Offices in the 1980s.

Somewhere along the line she developed into a
world traveler. I believe the only continent she
has missed is South America, and I am not sure
but what she has vacationed at an island or two
off that coast. She hops off to London like most
of us would go to New York or Chicago for a long
weekend of dining and theater.

Mary Jo was widowed in 1988. Even that didn’t
slow her down much. She married again in 1991.
She and Carl have settled down a little, but still
manage trips now and then, the last one being in
August, when they took an anniversary trip to London.

You have had a full life, MJ and so on this occasion of
your birthday, we all wish you a Happy Birthday and
many more happy years ahead of you!

With love from your sister,

Marian