Cruising the Erie Canal

 
Today I joined several other Seniors cruising the Erie Canal on the restored Mississippi River Boat, the Rose Lummis. About 25 of us enjoyed lunch on our hour trip, listening while our local historian told us about the people and businesses who had settled this area. I thought it was all too soon when we turned around to go back! I would have liked to have gone all the way to Rochester, but we didn't even make it to Spencerport! I want to go again -- further!! ~~~There were several familiar faces on the trip, but one sweet person I hadn't seen for a long time stopped me for a hug on my way to the upper deck. "I just wanted to tell you," she said, "that I thought the newspaper story about you a couple of months ago was extra special. My niece has four children, and the first and last child each have Down syndrome." My heart goes out doubly to people caring for more than one child with special needs. What a blessing to have a supportive family! It seems she hasn't read "Journey With Jeff," so I told her she could find a copy at the Senior Center. "Nice to know an author!" she beamed.

Understanding folks

 
47 years ago today Jeff was born -- on a Pentecost morning. I thought of that in my morning Quiet Time, then our beloved brother- and sister-in-law wrote us an e-mail this morning: "Thinking of you today. It's hard to believe Jeff was born that long ago. Your book has made his years seem so recent." Jack and Kathryn were Jeff's godparents, and they continue to cheer for him. Their thoughts made our day -- such understanding folk!! ~~~Later, when I arrived for my monthly maintenance trip to my chiropracter today a young man with Down syndrome came back into the outer office with his mom. As she took care of the payment, I slipped up beside her and showed her a photo of our family, saying, "from one mother to another." She hugged me and burst into tears. She said that her son will need to wear a "halo" to straighten out the way his neck permanently leans to the right. Two doctors have insisted this is the ONLY way they know how to correct it. I said, hopefully, "Maybe you need a third opinion," and the receptionist added, "You have to keep fighting." Trying not to cry, his mother said, "I know you understand." I told her about "Journey With Jeff," and gave her one from my stash in the car, praying that she'll understand that she is not alone. Please, Lord, may she find the time and energy to read "Journey With Jeff." Thank You.

A Visit to the LANDING

 
This afternoon I spent an hour at the LANDING, a Senior Assisted Living Home. Melody Finn invited me to speak after seeing the February article in our Democrat and Chronicle. About 20 older citizens gathered around the fireplace (today was a cold May day,) to hear me share stories from "Journey With Jeff." I have a great respect for these Seniors, who have lived many, many years. When Jennifer was a pre-schooler she went with us Lutheran women every Wednesday morning to explore the crafts and activities at the Chautauqua County Home. The people were delighted to have a small, wide-eyed child around, and Jennifer still enjoys crafts. Today at the LANDING one lady named Peggy and I compared notes about children with Down syndrome, because her grand-daughter, now 31 years old, visits often and fills her life with much love and hugs. We talked about being caregivers to other members of our families, and another resident shared her scary memories of a husband who wandered at night. Sometimes caregiving is terribly difficult. I ended my presentation with my favorite story, "Big Bird's Car," about the miracle of the car Jeff washed inside and out, drying out in warm June breezes, and running again. Someone asked Lance if the car was ever the same, and Lance said it ran for three years afterward just fine!! I tried to find as many stories as possible to draw laughter from the group, and "Big Bird's Car" won.

Two Ways to Read "Journey With Jeff"

 
This is a photo of me reading to my grandchild's class -- something I thoroughly enjoy!! There are two kinds of books I love to read -- a story that I can't put down, (such as Sue Monk Kidd's "The Secret Life of Bees,")and a book of devotions (I have 5 beside my Quiet Time chair, including the annual Daily Guideposts.) ~~~ I have also discovered there are two kinds of readers of "Journey With Jeff" -- those who read it in one sitting, and those who use it one day at a time, pondering the beginning quote, the illustration about Jeff, and my prayer at the end. One of my friends at church bought a copy of "Journey" to take with her to read on a long flight, but said she picked it up one day and couldn't put it down. Guess I'll have to write another one for her--very quickly!! Our young, energetic, well-read, well-traveled and thoroughly Lutheran Pastor said he sees Jeff's story in devotional form, meant to be read one by one by one. "So I won't be done reading it for quite a long time," he told me. I appreciate both kinds of readers!! I also appreciate those who review "Journey" on Amazon.com, because people deciding whether or not to purchase a book usually read it's reviews first. I'm eager for all caregivers to know they are not alone!

O, The Joy of Books!

 
This is one of my favorite photos of Jeff and his little sister, Jennifer! Jeff's love of books was catching, and Jennifer became an avid reader. One summer she won a Library contest for reading 100 books! Now that she has children of her own (have I mentioned Theo - 9, and Roxy - 5?!?!)she has less time to read for her own pleasure, but,...this too shall pass. When Theo was very small I used to cuddle with him to read a book, and one day he just took off on his own! "I'd rather read by myself, Gramma." Talk about mixed blessings! This past Sunday I received a Mother's Day card signed by both Theo and Roxy. I didn't know she could write: "I hop you hab ay vare spashl Mother's Day." I'm so proud of her!

A Good Dose of Reality

 
Today I received an e-mail letter from a woman who lives in Georgia with her husband, a 4-year-old daughter and a 2-1/2 year-old son, Will, who has Down Syndrome. A dear Rochester friend of hers saw the story about Jeff and "Journey With Jeff" in the Sunday paper a month or so ago and thought it would be a great gift to send them. "They couldn't have been more right," she said, "although I don't think the book had the effect that they thought it would. The one thing that I got from your book that I wasn't expecting at all was a good dose of reality and a grounding of my expectations for Will's life." She explained, "My husband and I have spent the last 2-1/2 years telling ourselves that Will would be the exception. He seems so smart. He'll be the one that goes on the Georgia Tech and gets an engineering degree. Or he'll be a doctor. Or author or actor. Or a musician (he loves music as much as Jeff did.) Or he'll get married and have his own family one day. While I know that there is always hope that he'll achieve one, or even more, of these dreams we have for him, the reality is that he very well may not. And that's a reality that I have avoided thinking about, which is funny considering I think of myself as a "realist" when it comes to life. No fancy dreams here. I just take life as it is, thank God every day for His provisions (and ask Him for help, of course) and go about living. But without even realizaing it, I have fantasized about Will's future in such a way that, in my mind, there was absolutely no question that he'd go on to achieve great things. And he will achieve geat things....but I needed to adjust my definition of "great." (A wise woman!) Then, the final paragraph in her wonderful letter: "In short, what I want to say is that "Journey With Jeff" has helped me to work through the last of my "mourning" over the loss of the child I'd hoped for and welcome with open arms the trip to Holland instead. It's a scary trip; we're about to enter the school years and I'm concerned about what lies ahead for Will and our family. But one thing I do know is that I have total faith in God and that He will provide whatever opportunities Will needs to carry out His purpose for his life here on Earth, and provide our family the strength to help Will achieve his best." Goosebumps! Her God-Story gives me goosebumps! She added that she'd check my blog now and again when she has a chance. So, welcome, friend. Welcome!

Twelve Out of 360

 
In the six months since "Journey With Jeff" has been published, all 360 printed copies have been checked out to see that the black and white cover is perfect (without scratches or wrinkles.) Only 12 covers had to be removed and sent back to BookSurge. (They will replace the books.) My problem is...what to do with the more than 300 naked pages remaining of each book?!?! I hate to throw them away (and waste another tree!) Who would want a cover-less book? Do you, Dear Reader, have any suggestions? Five members of our Writer's Group met tonight, and because I've been focusing on marketing so strongly, I had no new writing to share. Therefore, I gave each person a copy of "Journey" without the cover. They seemed very thankful, and asked me to sign each one. What a happy surprise!!! ~~~ (Photo is from our front yard this spring!)

Plugging "Journey" into Spirituality and Aging

I wasn't eager to attend a day-long meeting of the Lutheran Christians in Action for Seniors Team today. "What have I gotten myself into," I muttered, "signing up as a facilitator?!?! My plate is full of marketing, and activities at church, etc., etc. I was looking for things to give up!" But I sensed the Lord nudging me to go each time it came to mind. (I have something inside me that remembers that the more I DON'T want to go someplace, the BETTER time I have.) My friend, Cynthia and her husband were there, and they were the only ones I knew. After Registration, I found their table was already filled. At the next table, I discovered there was a teacher's aide for a class of children with special needs!! At an appropriate time in our conversation I pulled out a copy of "Journey With Jeff," and she and her friend both bought a copy! YES!! When we were all asked to introduce ourselves, I said, "I've written a book about caregiving, and I'm looking for a place to plug it in with the Sandwich Generation and the Aging Generation." The speaker was a Roman Catholic priest from Kansas City, serving in a parish which has begun including children with special needs at their parish school. The workshop began to feel like a Retreat -- which I love! Two identical sets of "Tools for Spiritual Care" were laid out for us -- one for our own spiritual journey, and one for us to use for the seniors in our ministries. I hope the copy of "Journey" I sent home to Kansas with him will be a good resource for his parish and parish school.