Grandma Mary Jane
My grandmother,Mary Jane Welz, was a person who brought more good to the world than can be described in words. She told us good stories at times. And other times she told us stories of her childhood and the struggles her and her family endured.
In 1960 Mary Jane met and married my grandfather, Anthony (Tony) Welz, and together they raised 4 daughters, a son and they eventually took part in raising 9 grandchildren.
Most of my childhood was spent living with my grandmother, MJ. My grandparents committed to making sure that none of their family went without shelter or food. When we were in need, they were always there for us. Holding to that commitment, me, my siblings and many of my cousins indeed grew up in Grandma and Poppy’s house.
We are all very grateful, and forever indebted to the memory and legacy of our grandparents Tony Welz and MaryJane Welz.
Even-though our childhood circumstances were not perfect, we always knew we had a place to rest our heads at night. It goes without saying that this was extremely important for our development as children. And without that we might not be where we are today.
Living at grandma and Poppy’s house also meant that we were lucky enough to spend incredible amounts of time with them and we were able to glean the lessons of their more mature lives early on in our lives. I remember Poppy encouraging us to work hard and steady, and Grandma talking us out of being angry about insignificant things by telling us it’s better to be pissed off than to be pissed on. And she did her best to make sure we at least had an idea of what it meant to use respectful language by telling us “ain’t ain’t a word...so I ain’t gunna say it and I ain’t gunna use it. And if we said “hey” in a rude way, she would tell us; “Hay is for horses.”
When I, my siblings or cousins were home sick from school sick we would either lay on the couch or sit in my Grand fathers chair watching “Price is Right” while sneezing or coughing away. Grandma would sit on her chair and bring us toast, soup and robatussen or dimetap.
Matthew 6:19-21 says: Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.
My grandmother MJ Welz laid up many treasures in heaven through her life of compassion, caring and charity toward all of us and those who had the pleasure of knowing and spending time with her. We will be forever grateful for all that she has done for us and for the lessons she taught us.