A Conversation with Jean

May 20, 2018

“Here I am again. Lots of stuff.”

“Yeah, took your time again, eh?”

“Yes, and no excuses, just my usual slowness.

Slow or not, I did have a lot of action, and I’ll do my best to give you the picture. In fact, I’m beginning to write poetry. It has become to me a way to exercise a part of my brain that stimulates spiritual growth. The same place where you now dwell. It helps me see what I couldn’t see before. It makes me happy in that I am better able to reach you in the part of my heart that is spiritually attainable.

I’m thinking of incorporating a poetry corner on Relighting Us, so others can strengthen their spiritual awareness. Writing is spiritual exercise. Poetry, memoirs, stories, on and on. I know how important exercise is to my body, and I work out three days a week at the Perinton Community Center gym just to keep me in physical balance. Staying in balance is crucial to wellness. Physical, mental, and spiritual.

In my opinion, Anne has maintained a good balance over the past few years, and I sincerely believe part of it is due to her finding support at Cindy’s and from all who go out their way to attend her. A doable miracle has occurred.

More and more I am coming to realize that miracles are happening all around me. Miracles that involve love. Love that appears when one sets about exchanging it. It works in so many poetic ways. Somewhere in all of this I am going to find the right formula for helping people discover the miracle of writing, and how it brings about peace of mind. Anything you can do on your end to inspire me I will appreciate very much. I do see you a lot in my dreams, and I know you can send me a message. Lately my dreams are getting more understandable. It seems to be the same kind of metaphor that is in poetry. I’m getting there.

OK, so a good time was had by all at Easter. I had them all pictured by the 13th Armored Division Quilt that fellow Veteran’s Writing Group member Sue Spitulnik made for me. I put a story about it on Relighting Us. I draped it over the screen in our family room. It now rests where you used to sit in the couch. It is symbolic of the support of my Veteran friends. The ones I reacquainted myself with after you left.

Here we all are:

About 3 weeks later, I had another group of supporters from my Osher writing classes and St. Louis Church over for what I call a reacquaintance with my Irish heritage. We had a nice lunch and little party celebrating the second anniversary of our celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Irish Rising in 1916. One of these days I plan to elaborate on how that all came about. I’ll post it on Relighting Us. There are several miracles involved in that story, too.

In fact, all my writings contain accounts of miracles, and you know what? They are accepted in that spirit. The more I accept, the better I feel. I can’t help but believe that you have a lot to do with that. Especially the Irish part. I no longer minimize my Irish identity, and have become, to some extent, a “Professional Irishman.”

In that vein, Patty and Jim took a long trip there after Easter. Lots of historical stuff about both Whelan’s and Butler’s – including some Butler’s dark chocolate made by your namesake in Ireland. When I was there I remember seeing advertised prominently, Butler’s Ice Cream.

Steve McAlpin and I are going back there next September. I got lots of things in mind to do, as I don’t have a lot of time left here, before I catch that big black bus to where you are. I’ll have lots to tell you, so I won’t get into it now. I’m saving it up to tell you face to face.

I still have lunch with Nan and Bob, Jim McAvinney, and the Randles every month, but I dropped out of the Victor Bridge Club. Too much stuff, between writing and related involvements, as well as need for more frequent naps. I’m still not doing too bad for a guy on the verge of 93 years, but I have a shorter tether, and less energy. Got to make the best of what ‘s left.

In that vein, Patty, Jim, and Annie ran me through a trial test of the latest in personal transport- called Uber. Sort of like a taxi, but more personalized and less expensive. It probably will let me live here among our memories, for as long as possible. Steve is helping me out on a lot of my longer trips, as well.

Talk to you soon.”