beauty is born into life
and one by one
they say their goodbyes
Coneflowers; Photo by J.H Johann, Palmyra Perennial Garden, c. July, 2014.
the flowers are whispering their goodbyes
“…Yours Always, Part of You.”
The following article was posted in http://kindnessblog.com/2015/08/20/yours-always-part-of-you/. It is a beautiful posting about gratitude and sharing.
Please direct your comments to: http://kindnessblog.com/
We all know how important organ, blood and bone-marrow donations are. Especially for those who receive a much-needed donation which improves or even saves the donor recipient’s life.
It is especially difficult to think about organ donation as most of us have deep held fears about our own mortality. However, when we do give thought to this, we realise that there’s only three choices for what happens to our organs after we die. Either they go with us to the Grave, the Crematorium or…they can go in to the body of a desperate Human in need.
How is it even a choice?
Reddit user ‘walt1177’ recently wrote:
“I donated bone marrow to a stranger, received this letter in return.”
This grateful Human signed the letter off with “Yours always, Part of you”.
Doesn’t that just say it all?♥
Please Encourage Organ, Blood and Bone-Marrow Donations by Sharing This Article…
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sundrops of yesterday
Photo Credit: Jane H. Johann, Jasper, Alberta, Canada, 2013.
sundrops of yesterday
hasta garden variety
flooding my mind
as I tiptoe through midnight crashes
of sourdough bread
Downtown Abbey personified
bookend trips to the city
marked by a movie
museum wonderland
exotic meal out
delivered from the regular
comforted by the fact
that YOU were alive
that YOU were here
present to me…
at least so i thought–
now questioning my sanity
were you here or were you not?
do you know what it is like to be alone?
It is being surrounded by 48 empty hours in one day
…no, not a mistake, time is compounded
dragging me deep into a bottomless chasm
Copyright © Notice
The short stories, the musings, the photography or images(except where otherwise noted), the paintings and the poetry are my original work. These texts are protected under International Copyright ©laws. Whenever any image or writing is created or written by another individual, proper credit is given to that individual if known. Every effort is made to give credit where credit is due. All rights are reserved by the owner (author).Reblogs on WordPress are permitted as long as proper credit and links are provided to this site. None of my writings, paintings or postings should be downloaded, reproduced, copied, projected or used in any manner without written permission of the owner (author).Thank you for respecting the intellectual property rights. I appreciate your integrity and hope you will respect mine. Thank you!
Jane H. Johann October, 2011 ©2011-2020 Jane H. Johann. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer Notice: This blog contains works of fiction/nonfiction. Names, characters, businesses,places, events and incident are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental, unless otherwise noted.
the little boy’s cry
we had returned from a full evening of joyous celebration
everyone changed where they were going to sleep several times
as the heat this August night is unbearable and no air-conditioning
first Nadia camped out with Lara in the bedroom
then soon found herself next to her Nanny in her queen size bed
Ayden began his sleep in the living room
then declared his manhood at the age of eight and sauntered down alone to his room
Nanny was alert and awake…trying to rest her eyes
almost eleven oc’clock when she heard the little boy”s cry
she flew from her bed and went to Ayden’s room
there he lay sobbing on his bed and crying,
“Nanny, you said you would come if I cried!?”
“Darling, what is the matter?” as she picked him up and held him in her arms
Again he said, “Nanny, you said you would come if I cried!?”
Again, Nanny replied, “And I have, Ayden, here I am for you!”
“But, Nanny, I was crying in Day Care for you last week and you didn’t come?”
he sobbed as he spoke…and my heart took a jolt
How do you explain you are three hours away
And only allowed a once upon a time monthly visit?
He went on to explain, “They are mean to me in DayCare…they don’t get me.”
“I cried and cried so hard and wanted you to come, but you didn’t!
Because I had a hard time the day before, and cried and cried, they wouldn’t let me go to the pool
the next day. And I cried and cried, hoping you would come…but you didn’t and I cried so hard.”
“Ayden, did you tell your Dad?”
“Yes, but he said it would be the same in any Day Care. It made me so sad.”
“Ayden, darling, I didn’t know…but I think of you each morning, and throughout the day,
and I carry YOU in my heart…I wish you lived closer…I wish I could see you more…
I do love you…maybe one day it will be different… I will speak to your Dad about it and maybe he can talk to the Day Care.”
And he cried more, sobbing in my arms.
“What can I do, my darling boy?”
And he said, “I wish I could see you more. I love you so much, Nanny,
and I miss you so much! I wish you could come more often.”
And I said, “Me, too. I wish I lived closer.”
…and then, I dried his tears, and there he fell asleep in my arms…
and my heart cried for this little boy who just needs to be loved…
August Fridays
sweet aroma of the corn harvest
drifts in from the fields
flaky butter crust
dressing the country table
zucchini celebrating overflow
tomatoes are ripening
yellow beans dancing in a row
green broccoli dreams
My daughters, 1996, Sara, Annie and Lara, standing by the little garden they planted.
sweet peas tiptoeing into our mouths
feast is upon us
as butterflies migrate towards the south
with the flowers giving their last hurrah
Maybe only God can do this…
You hear
the whisper
behind my words
The words
that cannot be spoken
but need to be heard
You listen
to the silence
of my heart
The cries…the struggle…
the pains…
all the intricate parts…
Alberta, Canada “Dawn Breaking” Photo Credit: Jane Johann c.2013
tears fill my being
life within is struggling
for breath
confusion and rejection
felt so strong
traveling to the ocean depth
logic took a vacation
emotions take over
without defeat
but something holds me strong
LOVE is there
and so it is YOU I meet
Copyright © Notice
The short stories, the musings, the photography or images(except where otherwise noted), the paintings and the poetry are my original work. These texts are protected under International Copyright ©laws. Whenever any image or writing is created or written by another individual, proper credit is given to that individual if known. Every effort is made to give credit where credit is due. All rights are reserved by the owner (author).Reblogs on WordPress are permitted as long as proper credit and links are provided to this site. None of my writings, paintings or postings should be downloaded, reproduced, copied, projected or used in any manner without written permission of the owner (author).Thank you for respecting the intellectual property rights. I appreciate your integrity and hope you will respect mine. Thank you!
Jane H. Johann October, 2011 ©2011-2020 Jane H. Johann. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer Notice: This blog contains works of fiction/nonfiction. Names, characters, businesses,places, events and incident are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental, unless otherwise noted.
World’s Petitions…just a few
I signed one petition for Care2 Petitions and then I received a deluge of petitions. Overwhelming. Overwhelming to see all the needs that there are on Mother Earth. Petitions for justice, healthcare reform, respect for women, care for children, care for the homeless, fairness, economic equity, gender fairness, proper treatment of animals, respect for Earth —- the list below is a small sampling of the needs of humanity. It is overwhelming.
Provide support and funding for local Texas shelter
VA Stop Sabotaging TBI tests. Offer all veterans proper evaluation and treatment
Harshest Charge for blowing up fireworks in dog’s mouth and ban of future animal ownership
Reject the 20 week abortion ban
Support Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary to avoid closure
Save Wild Arizona Horses from Banishment
Revoke Licenses of Vets who euthanize pets without permission
Tell San Francisco Not to Crack Down on Bicyclists
Urge Lawmakers to Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act
STOP putting dyed chicks in plastic bags to be sold as TOYS on Thai island Koh Lanta
Urge Yum Foods to Offer Paid Sick and Vacation Days to Workers
Drop case against mother who provided daughter with abortion medication in Northern Ireland
Stop the Dehumanizing Gender Testing of Women’s World Cup Athletes
Congress –Investigate American Hate Groups’
Get the Toxic Trio out of Nail Care Products
Send Magnus Hustveit, who raped his girlfriend, to prison!
Tell Harvard University to divest from fossil fuels
Harper: Don’t Let Your Big Oil Friends Run the National Energy Board!
Urge Nestle to Help Stop Slave Labor Used to Make Pet Food
Stop Scott Walker’s Weekend Elimination Plan
Congress to Increase the Federal Minimum Wage
Tell Republicans Reject Racist Donations
Tell Congress to Increase the Federal Minimum Wage
End the Travel Restrictions Placed on Disabled Australians!
Who is Burning Black Churches? Bring back the Church Arson Task Force
Urgent! We need a shelter for homeless women in Vancouver, Washington!
Tell Hong Kong to Crack Down on Ivory Smuggling!
Demand Universal, Automatic voter Registration
Tell the UN— Women and Girls and Deserve Equality
Zimbabwe: Don’t bring back the death penalty after ten years.
Save Torrent Frogs in the Ivory Coast
I am only ONE person. I can choose to help with one or several and give it my attention, and that I all I can do. I can see we need EVERYONE to pitch in and do what they can. None of us can do it alone. We all need to help each other with whatever we have to offer. There certainly is much to do to alleviate suffering in this world. We live in a world community and what we say and/or do affects one another.
If each person does ONE thing, it is already something. I think being a person of peace and praying is something everyone can do and be. Yet that might be difficult if we do not believe in ourselves or our own goodness…and that could be the result of someone not ever believing in us or trusting us to change. Yet, change is the only constant.
I believe in the positive power of prayer and putting forth good thoughts to each other and out into the universe. I see what bad thoughts to do harm others—so why wouldn’t good thoughts produce good reactions? One would think that is a simple thing to do. However, it is not. Sometimes my own suffering gets in the way–my own inability to forgive and forget and move on. However, if I do not do it, I am not living in peace and I am not extending peace to anyone else. I look at the list above, and think even the rapist needs forgiveness and healing.
Yet, forgiveness is difficult, but without there is no movement forward. I think every person deserves a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance…when do we stop giving each other opportunities and forgiveness? I firmly believe that IF we believe in the other person, that person can grow and change. Believing in each other produces change. We are human beings. We are all imperfect.
The recent murder of Cecil the Lion brought forth reaction from around the world. There was complete dismay and outrage over the killing of this wonderful animal. Yes, it was sad and I have never understood why anyone finds pleasure in hanging a dead animal’s head on their living room wall. People were so angry, that they even wanted the dentist executed for his killing of this animal! I could not believe that! That is extreme. I have never understood retaliation or revenge. How does that help anyone? People were very willing to express their hatred for this man who killed Cecil, the lion, yet, they, in turn would be ready to kill him for what he did. Would that be justified? As Gandhi said, “An eye for an eye, makes the whole world blind.”
As human beings, we have a long road to travel to become understanding and forgiving of one another. And that great distance is the furthest within ourselves. The more we accept ourselves and our imperfections…the more we can forgive ourselves…the more we will understand and forgive others
. 
Lara…saying Goodbye to the people of Togo
Tonight is my last night in the small village of Sagbiebou in Northern Togo. Two years ago I moved here, the first time moving anywhere alone, with a little French and no idea what would happen next. For the first few months I felt helpless and alone; I didn’t understand the language, washing my clothes by hand never seemed to get them clean, and babies were terrified of me, having never seen a white person before. Each day the struggles in retrospect were small but I’ll never forget writing daily goals of “learning how to buy food” or “finding where and how to pump my own water.” It was terrifying but exciting, and my parents advice became my mantra, “take it a day at a time.”
After a while the bucket showers and eating this thing called fufu became the norm, strangers that I once fumbled in the basics of French, Anufo, and Gam-Gam with became good friends, and my day-to-day goals soon turned to exciting projects like creating an English Club, constructing a school and latrine, and teaching a group of girl apprentices the importance of and how to become financially independent. I never did quite get the hang of teaching 130 students at once (a lofty goal) but I gave it a try every day. I stood along as one of my most admirable students received a scholarship to last through university and work partners traveled to other regions to participate in Peace Corps trainings and camps. Alongside my community I planted trees, painted murals, made small strides in improving gender equality in Sagbiebou, and played, arguably, too much soccer.
I saw the incredible work ethic of these villagers, who wake up at dawn to bike or walk miles either to the farm or to school, only to be followed by more intense work upon their return (pumping and carrying water to their homes, cooking over a coals in 110 degree weather, selling goods in the market). And then, after all of that, had the energy and motivation to work on projects with me.
I created a home and a family here, one I’m incredibly sad to say goodbye to. But I’m happy to have these friendships and experiences going forward and to always, somewhere in the back of my mind be that yovo called Madame Fati.
Thank you to all of my family and friends who were so supportive of me moving to Togo for two years – and moreover, sending me their love and support throughout the 26 months.
an unexpected gift…
An unexpected gift greeted me this morning…
a Monarch butterfly winged a visit
to the purposefully planted milkweed plant
growing among the perennials…
gently floating in the air,
giving hope and promise
to the day…
and to the survival of the MONARCH
Milkweed Plant
Photo Credit: Jane Johann c.August, 2015
___________________________________________________________________________________________
HELP SAVE the MONARCH…Plant Milkweed each Spring in your garden!
Readings to explore regarding the survival of the Monarch:
Milkweed Is Essential for Monarch Butterflies’ Survival articles.mercola.com/…/2014/05/19/monarch-butterfly–milkweed.aspx May 19, 2014 · The monarch butterfly is about to go extinct, as genetically engineered crops and agricultural chemicals have largely eliminated the perennial milkweed
Monarch Butterfly Survival Kit by Monarch Butterflies …https://http://www.kickstarter.com/…/monarch-butterfly-survival-kit . Monarch Butterflies Help is raising funds for Monarch Butterfly Survival Kit on Kickstarter! Feed Monarch Butterflies & Help Them Survive! Get your ownMonarch …
40 Years Ago the World ‘Discovered’ Mexico’s Monarch …http://www.huffingtonpost.com/homero-aridjis/mexico-monarch-survival_b…Jan 20, 2015 · 40 Years Ago the World ‘Discovered’ Mexico’s Monarch Habitat — Today Its Survival Is at Stake
Ridden With Insecurity
A wonderful new blog I discovered quite by accident, as it had been pushed into my spam folder. Meet Anusha, and her blog of youthful enthusiasm, CARDBOARD EXPRESS! Love the name of her blog!
Please direct ALL comments and praise to Anusha at Cardboard Express: https://cardboardexpress.wordpress.com/
Footprints of Thoughts 
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