Differently Abled

Jeff loved to be busy, to be helping people. And, the people around him found jobs for him to do, enjoying the wide smiles he gave so generously. I was very thankful for the wisdom, support, and encouragement of those wonderful persons! Today I learned of another
mother whose 43 year-old differently abled daughter is living in an LAI Assisted Living apartment, going to a work program, and eager to help plan lots of activities for her group. This mother says, "I enjoyed reading Journey With Jeff. It reminded me of the difficult times I went through with my daughter, and made me feel successful for having met those challenges! The book gave me some ideas of what's available. It inspired me." I am inspired by remarks such as this mother's, as I watch the ripple effect of Jeff's story.

Easter Hope!

Jeff loved the drums...all drums! He was fascinated by the tympani that one of our students played at the end of the Good Friday service, imitating the sound of a huge rock being rolled across Christ's tomb. It often made him sob when he heard it. We don't use fragile tympanies anymore, but Bob and I always think of Jeff's reaction at the end of that service. So, Friday came again this year, then quiet Saturday, and, finally, the joyous Easter morning we're hoping for! Our church was Easter-full, and visitors stayed to visit over coffee. I'm always glad when one family living out-of-town comes, because she and I can talk about our love of writing. She has just finished reading Journey With Jeff, and told me she had no idea of all that our family had gone through. "I liked your honesty," she said. "You told it like it was!" I'm hoping she will write a review for Amazon.com. There are 9 reviews on that website so far, and I'm always seeking for more. If you, my reader, would consider writing the few words you might tell me directly, into an Amazon.com review, I'll appreciate it immensely!! Thank you!!

Inspirational Community Support

Tonight at a Fire Department banquet Bob and I renewed our appreciation of the inspirational community support of the Hamlin Fire Department. Bob was active for many years, and still is invited often to give the invocation and bendiction at banquets. A woman I had never met before said her mother had given her Journey With Jeff to read because she has a 32 year old daughter who lives with Down syndrome. Jeff sure gets around! Beyond any distance I can imagine! (So far there are about 500 books out there!! That is absolutely wonderful!!) One of our best long-time friends remembered she had bought a CD package of Jeff's story when that was produced in 2005. She said she'd listen to it again on the way to and from her work with children with special needs at school. I asked another long-time friend if he would write a review on Amazon.com of Journey With Jeff. He replied that his answer was too personal because now he understood why Bob was who he was. Wow! Profound! But I think his wife might persuade him to tell her what he wants to say on the readied website page. The community inspires me when I hear how Jeff's story has blessed others! (Photo is Jeff and his dad at the Hamlin Fire Department Carnival.)