I got the call around 10:00 p.m. on a Monday evening. Jodi was on the other end, her voice broken and wavering.
"Kenny?" she said shakily.
Jodi had obviously been crying, and my heart overflowed with concern. "What's wrong, my joy?"
"My mother's gone, Kenny," she replied, stifling a sob. "She died yesterday."
"Oh, Jodi...I'm so sorry!" I replied with genuine sympathy in my voice. "I really liked your mother. She was a fine woman - the salt of the earth."
"She was my best friend," Jodi said tearfully. "I couldn't have asked for a better mother than her."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked, wanting to do whatever I could for my grieving friend.
"M-m-maybe," Jodi replied haltingly. "Can you possibly come over - right now? I really need to see you."
"Of course, my joy," I replied quickly. "Just hold on, Jodi - I'll be there in about 20 minutes."
"I'll be waiting for you," Jodi replied sweetly. "And, Kenny?"
"Yes, Jodi?"
"Thank you so much!"
After hanging up, I quickly showered and dressed, grabbed my Bible off the night stand and was out the door in a flash. On the way to Jodi's place, I stopped by the grocery store, picked up some flowers, and a gallon of rocky road ice cream - Jodi's favorite comfort food. I just had a hunch she would be needing them.
Twenty minutes later, I was pulling into Jodi's driveway. With my Bible in one hand and the flowers and ice cream in the other, I hustled up her front walkway and rang the doorbell.
A couple of seconds later, the door opened, and there stood Jodi.
Her eyes were red, and her face stained with tears - but even in that state, Jodi looked amazingly beautiful to me.