The LAI clients were enjoying the upbeat music at the 30th Anniversary, and Ernie and Wendy, Bob and I were enjoying their enjoyment. I said to Wendy, "Boy, Jeff would sure love being out there on the dance floor!" "O yes," she said, "He'd be in heaven!" We laughed when I said, "He is in heaven!" We remember how much fun he had at other LAI celebrations!~~~ The first paragraph of the chapter titled, "Ernie and Wendy" in "Journey With Jeff " explains that "Ernie Haywood was part of the administrative staff at LAI, and his wife, Wendy, was on Jeff's residence staff on South Avenue in Brockport. They were such good friends of Jeff's that they asked him to be their special guest at their wedding. Ernie complains good-naturedly to this day, "Jeffrey got the first dance with my wife.!"~~~ Ernie and Wendy have given so much of themselves to LAI residents. There is more in the book about being "Surprised at Wendy's Farm," where the residents went one hot July 4th to visit the new baby horse. Wendy's dad gave Jeff a gift that he couldn't quite believe he had in his hand. Read about it in "Journey With Jeff: Inspiration for Caregivers of People with Special Needs," on page 291.
Showing posts with label laughter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laughter. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Ernie & Wendy ~ Then & Now
The LAI clients were enjoying the upbeat music at the 30th Anniversary, and Ernie and Wendy, Bob and I were enjoying their enjoyment. I said to Wendy, "Boy, Jeff would sure love being out there on the dance floor!" "O yes," she said, "He'd be in heaven!" We laughed when I said, "He is in heaven!" We remember how much fun he had at other LAI celebrations!~~~ The first paragraph of the chapter titled, "Ernie and Wendy" in "Journey With Jeff " explains that "Ernie Haywood was part of the administrative staff at LAI, and his wife, Wendy, was on Jeff's residence staff on South Avenue in Brockport. They were such good friends of Jeff's that they asked him to be their special guest at their wedding. Ernie complains good-naturedly to this day, "Jeffrey got the first dance with my wife.!"~~~ Ernie and Wendy have given so much of themselves to LAI residents. There is more in the book about being "Surprised at Wendy's Farm," where the residents went one hot July 4th to visit the new baby horse. Wendy's dad gave Jeff a gift that he couldn't quite believe he had in his hand. Read about it in "Journey With Jeff: Inspiration for Caregivers of People with Special Needs," on page 291.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A New Twinkle in My Eye
"I didn't know you went through all this. You always seemed upbeat and happy." These are words I've heard fairly often from long-time friends and wide-spread family after they have read "Journey With Jeff." There was alot of laughter in our house, and in Jeff's programs and residences, even in the hospital where he spent 22 months. God gave me a calling, and brought others along the way to help. I found that laughter progresses healing, and sustains hope. Especially, "Holy Laughter" which laughs in the face of peculiar circumstances.~~~ There's a chapter in my book called "A New Twinkle," and the quote at the beginning is a poem by Margaret Bailey: "God, give me sympathy and sense, And help me keep my courage high; God, give me calm and confidence, And, please, a twinkle in my eye." Joy prepares us for the long haul when circumstances can lead to tears or laughter -- one never knows!! (Photo of Jeff and friend at Camp Joy)
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