Jo's Love: Betty Nethery

Our lives are fundamentally affected by “connections” e.g., family connections; friends, church and work connections.  “Jo’s Love” is all about connections; however, one of the most compelling features of these connections is that most of the people receiving JO’S LOVE have no personal connection with each other.

The first connection was formed with Jane Williamson and Carol Jackson through the marriage of their children.  When Caroline was first diagnosed with breast cancer, Jane designed and made a post-mastectomy pillow for Caroline and called it “Caroline’s Pillow.”  The second connection came because of Jane’s volunteer involvement with the Greater Fort Worth Susan G. Komen Affiliate which brought her in contact with many breast cancer patients and survivors.  One of those survivors and Komen volunteers was the third connection, Jo Robinson from AHUMC.

            Jane decided to make the “Caroline Pillow” and distribute them as gifts of love and support to post-mastectomy patients at Harris Methodist Hospital.  As a breast cancer survivor, Jo Robinson wanted to be a part of this ministry and helped with the cutting and sewing of the pillow forms.  For a number of years Jane and Jo were a team of two  making and distributing the pillows.

In 2012, Jo Robinson died a few weeks after being diagnosed with brain cancer.  Jo was an active member at AHUMC and to honor her memory and help Jane continue her “Caroline Pillow” ministry, Jo’s AHUMC friends formed “Jo’s Love”.   The main work of this group is stuffing the pillows.  The fourth connection came from another group of ladies (Zeta Amicae Auxiliary of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Greater Fort Worth Area Negro Business & Professional Women's Club) led by Delores Simmons) who knew both Jane and Jo through Komen volunteer activities and also wanted to became  part of Jo’s Love.  These connections have resulted in over 8000 women receiving this gift of love when they wake up from their life altering mastectomy surgery.  Each time Jo’s Love meets to stuff, they honor Jo Robinson’s life and always stop in the middle of their work to pray for the women who will receive the pillow. 

The final and everlasting connection is the one we can imagine in Heaven between Caroline Jackson and Jo Robinson. Jo and Caroline were both courageous women who led lives of service, love and joy.  Their connection will continue to be felt by all those who make up JO”S LOVE and who receive the pillows.

Comments from recipients:

There are really not enough words to say “thank you” to you.  I felt your gift was a true gift from God and for that I am so very grateful.  Blessings on you and your sweet ministry….

TOP TEN REASONS TO USE CAROLINE’S PILLOW

•        It provides comfort.
•     It is pretty.
•       It is soft to your skin.
•       It provides support for your arms.
•       It folds into a table on your lap.
•       It can travel with you.
•       It is like a friend that never leaves you.
•       It can bend around you.
•       It is the perfect size.
•       It is made with love!

What a blessing your pillow has been for me

Whatever moved you to this ministry, please know you are still deeply blessing women every day at an especially vulnerable time.

Your pillow is more than a “pillow,” it was an unexplainable feeling of even strangers caring about what’s going on in our world.  Keep up the magnificent work.  .  I think you are awesome to do this for people you don’t even know.  God bless you as you bless others

God bless you in your ministry of love, your kindness, your graciousness.  Your reward is storing up in heaven, waiting for you.  What a special, wonderful work you do.  I am 80 yrs. old and this gift has touched my heart. God bless and thank you.