A Chance Meeting with a Strong Woman…

Yesterday I had to go into the city for an MRI.  I went in at 8 and did not get to leave until 2:30 — since they gave me some meds to relax going into the MRI—well, they certainly took effect! LOL  Knocked me out until the afternoon! They suggested that I go to Mykonos across the street for coffee and something to eat prior to driving the hour home. I took their advice and sat myself down in the restaurant.  Well…I am not one for eating alone…too much of it….so I saw this elderly lady sitting over in a booth. She had been left off by a City Vehicle for the Elderly and was struggling  with a walker.

I thought, “Maybe she would like some company.” So I ventured over to her and asked her if she would mind if I would join her for dinner, since she was not with anyone and neither was I and I mentioned that I hated eating alone.  I know — probably put a little guilt pressure on her — but she invited me to join her.

The conversation that ensued was amazing! She is in her eighties and lives alone with her son, who has medical debilitating conditions and cannot help her with her domestic  chores or contribute to the income. This woman is a strong woman in a frail body. She has a heart defibulator, navigates with a walker, and has only one other friend in the city who recently had a stroke and is now in a nursing home in the city of South Milwaukee.

As her story unfolded I saw how strong this woman was, carrying the needs of her son all by herself. She told me that her husband left a long time ago and she raised her son by solo.

She revealed that her kitchen sink does not work.

She is too weak to do housecleaning and her son is not capable to do it.

She revealed her past history to me and that Ethan Allen of the Green Mountain Boys was a distant ancestor. She has boxes of letters to verify this. She also bought a computer in 2010 to begin her writing  but it is still in the box! It is a Gateway.

Towards the end of the meal, she began to cry…and said, “Now I have another friend in this world.”

I was very humbled. As I went to her out of my loneliness and together we each found a new friend!

Here is where YOU come in.  She is ready to begin typing her memoirs but needs the computer set up to work. I need the help of any Computer Guru out there who can help.

I also told her I would help her unclog her sink.  I am not strong enough but I was wondering if any of my teacher friends  who are male, and have the upper body strength to turn a wrench could offer your free services?

If you are interested in helping this woman, then please respond here online or email me at janejohann126@gmail.com

I am trusting that some of you will have a little extra time to help a friend who needs our help.

I thank God for giving me the courage to ask to dine with her. I went to her for strength…and how much strength we can give  each other is phenomental!  This valiant woman and I truly broke bread together and she has given me new purpose.  Her commitment to live, to choose life, to take care of her son when she, herself, could use so much help. No self-pity just great strength! So welcoming to a stranger – me! God always does send someone…and she was sent to me to make my life better…and hopefully, with the help of some of you, I can help to make her life a little better!

 

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© 2012 Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Ame … que Cerca la Fuerza

the Earth is a separation

of echoes of love brought near

the wind carries their feelings…heart to heart

breathing new life amidst the fear

questioning the solid ground

i walk the land…

seeking truth

yet my heart does not understand

the rain inside hurts my land of tears

the task is before me

i must continue

seeking to be free

YES…and why…why …why

ONENESS is still there

miles separate …

Parts of me everywhere

America Canada Africa Italy England  France

What can bring us together

LOVE

for it is in love that we are united

that makes the you in me

sit again at your side

listening to your words

which speak to my heart

of the smile of your eyes…

© Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com, 2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Remembering…

For the Day of Remembering…November 11th…honoring all those who have given their life  while serving in the military…I remember my brother, Roger, an Airman, who died while serving in the Air Force in 1955…in an aviation explosion near Iceland. He died with 8 other men that day.

Remembering…

You speak enchantment, dear Poppy, mystically alive…

FREEDOM… in the face of wind you dive

Delicate your tender petals of courageous love

Our spirits find peace in the Holy Dove

Your petals open to courage… your red courage for all

The hero is called forth…you respond to the call

Life is given … life is fought …life is extinguished

Despair must relinquish

Circumstances seem forlorn

Resurrection lives deep within you… new hope is born

Your glory triumphs as you color the field

Grief and sorrow to you must yield

© Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com, 2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Warmth

Crimson burning red

Gently the sky lifts the dawn

To lighten our day

© Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com, 2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Responsibility for One Another

It is 3 AM and I am awake, disturbed significantly by the pain we cause one another. About a month ago, this young man of 28, Beau
Butschke , was murdered senselessly  —

“…No man is an island…any man’s death diminishes me

because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send

to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.”

John Donne

XVII. MEDITATION.

The death of Beau, brought  John Donne’s poem to my mind.  Bells that rang in memory of Beau’s short life, were also tolling for each of us.
The bell toll is calling us to wake up!  If there is any meaning or solace that can be attributed to this horrific act of violence, let the death of Beau not be in
vain.  Let his life call us to promote the good in each other.  Beau was a young man who lived with promise. He was part of each of us.

So many acts of violence occur daily here in this country and around the world.  We need to breathe
new hope for one another.  We need to be there for one another so that evil does not prevail and destroy us all.  Where is that cry today of responsibility for
one another? Why is life suddenly so cheap? What is causing so much anger in our world?

The news story told of his renter, a man in his 50’s, who had stolen Beau’s rifle two weeks earlier. This man was emptying the barrel
when Beau appeared on the scene. His question of “What are you doing?” was answered with a bullet…and then another…and then Beau breathed no more. Is life
was over and without asking his permission. The life of the assailant will no doubt end in prison. A third person is also added to the list of death…an 18
year old, who the assailant took under his wing several weeks earlier. Together they feasted in Beau’s home, eating his food, while his dead body lay concealed
in a storage unit. Meanwhile, Beau’s parents were suffering with the agony of knowing he had disappeared but not knowing where.  The suspects were caught separately as the
younger was looking for shelter and the assailant was attempting to flee the state.

The news story is done but Beau’s story is not done. When reading about Beau’s funeral, someone remarked that if something unpleasant happened, he would turn it around and
“give it a positive spin.”

Let Beau’s young life be a symbol of LIFE AFFIRMATION.  However small, let us help each other to grow and to love and not hurt each other.  Let his life become a ‘’positive  spin” for humanity.

Each person has a responsibility for the other. When one of us dies, a little of each of us dies also.  We need to encourage life and we need to realize that whatever positive
action we take, we are affirming life!

We offer his parents God’s tender blessings.

http://www.online-literature.com/donne/409/

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© 2011 Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Solitude

silent sounds strengthen

                  the smALLness

                                        in finding one’s heart

whispering waves

waver… wander…wonder

LOVE

la cime de l’espirit

heart longing to be

beyond within

travel  through  transformation

touch

JESUS

 

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French translation: [la cime de l’espirit: the treetops of the spirit]

© 2011 Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

A Plethora of Taste or I Love to Eat in August!

Relish the crispy, crunchy cucumber…

Live through the explosive flavor as the corn is squirting in your mouth

Savor the warm…tender…juicy…cherry tomatoes…

Contemplate the zealous zucchini!

Appraise the plethora of peppers: green, yellow, orange, red rainbow of succulence!

Regard this August as the best month of the year!

Deliberate the taste…

Contemplate the consummation of the summer food at its height!

The tangy tongue considers…and moves forward….

Wrapping up every last flavor!

 

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© 2011 Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Hello world!

Welcome to my blog! I hope you enjoy what you read and comment, if you feel you would like to! It would please me very much to hear your response! If you so choose, on the sidebar is the invitation to become a follower of my writing. This would encourage me greatly– for what is a writer without a reader?  Thank you, kindly! Blessings on your day and with all whom you share this moment of life!