Hello, Mary Lou!

Mary Lou Mason at the Mason Family Reunion, June 2008

This morning, Mark called home from work to tell me that Grandma Mason passed away last night. I was surprised, but not as sad as I thought I might be. I called the children together in the kitchen, and shared the news with them. And then I told them a story to help with this new idea of loosing someone they know and love; they have never dealt with death on a personal level before.

Mary Lou's High School Senior Picture

On one visit out to Denver to the Grandma and Grandpa Mason house, I had the opportunity to sit and chat with Mary Lou. I asked her questions about when she was young, and how she and Grandpa met, and what they did when they were newlyweds. She told me that they did a lot of square-dancing. In fact (if I remember correctly), she and Chet had been dancing just the night before she ended up in the hospital with polio.

Mary Lou and Chet (I don't know if this was while they were dating or after getting engaged.)

"So," I said, "when you get to heaven, you are going to go square dancing?"
"Oh, no," she replied. "I'm going to go rollerblading!"
"Rollerblading, Grandma? What brought that on?"
"Well, I loved rollerskating, and when they first came out with those things, and I got to see someone rollerblading, I thought, well, that's it! I'm going to have to try that!"

So I told my children this story, and then I told them to think about how Grandma isn't sitting in a wheelchair in heaven. She might just be rollerblading.

Mary Lou in 1942

Although, I think she might be too busy to get to rollerblading just yet. I'm positive there was a huge welcoming committee waiting for her arrival. I wonder if you get to hold up a banner in heaven, something that says maybe, "Hello, Mary Lou!" or "You Made It!" I bet it was a joyful reunion. Both her brother and her sister, plus all of the hundreds and hundreds of family members for whom she has done the family history work and temple work. Grandma is a convert to the Church. She was the first member of her family to be baptized, so there really was a lot to be done. She didn't waste any time getting down to work, that's for sure!

Chet & Mary Lou with their children - Cindy, Ginny & Mark - 60th wedding anniversary, 2007

Three children, 19 grandchildren plus spouses, and close to 40 great-grandchildren (and counting!) that are still here and living full, happy lives because of her influence and example. We've had the great opportunity to see a lot more of Grandma and Grandpa Mason the past year and a half, when they moved from Colorado to Missouri. It's been a real treat and a blessing to have them there for family parties, baby blessing and baptisms, family home evening, and just plain old hanging out. My kids are lucky. Not everyone gets the chance to know their great-grandparents like that.

Chet & Mary Lou, June 2008

And what a GREAT great-grandmother she was! What an example of patience and love and service. She got more done from that wheelchair with half a useful hand than a lot of us who still have complete use of our bodies. It puts things into perspective.

Love you, Grandma! Thank you for your love and your friendship, and your life of example and service. What a lucky family we are to have you.