Conversations With Jean
June 21, 2016
“A lot of time gone by. Sorry about that, but my life has suddenly been speeding up. I am a lot busier that I have been for a long while, and I am beginning to blame it on you. Sounds weird and rude doesn’t it? Let me try to explain, and beg your forgiveness all at the same time.”
“OK, but it better be good.”
“Here’s the deal. I been writing for over a year and a half now, stories for my writing class that feature a guy named Skibootch. He is actually me, and my stories are a comedic reflection of much of my erroneous ways. They are my attempt to allow Skibootch to expose himself to the humor found in his antics. You know, to make jokes of errors and misjudgments and allow that erroneous person to be exposed unharmed through laughter. You know all about that. You know how to make jokes of errors and misjudgments. That was your schtick. You taught me. Your sense of humor thrilled me, and a lot rubbed off. I am so grateful to you for teaching me how to laugh my way through error and disappointment. Shit happens, but even it can be put to good use.
Laughter saves the day. Not only that, it makes me into a more desirable person. People stop me now and ask about Skibootch. He is beginning to get a fan club. One person, even named a pet Skibootch. A lot of stuff like we went through together is coming out in my Skibootch stories. A lot of stuff that took place in my life before I met you is also in his makeup, but the most thrilling part of his story is his miraculous overall transformation from bonehead to good buddy. A miracle 91 years in the making.
You were the one who led me there. You know like what happened in Medjugorje. To me, of all people. I was the wishy washy in that deal, which just goes to show how miracles happen. Not within our understanding, but they happen. I now better understand why I felt so much relief when I made my peace with Lana. Within the past year, with the help of the influence of the wife of the man whose ashes lay beside yours, I accomplished the concluding segment of that long ago miracle – 27 years ago. It turns out it was a two phase miracle. Phase two came earlier this year when I forgave my father in my heart. It’s too long of a story to go into detail here, but someday, I’ll write it all down. I have already written Part 1 – “The Miracle at Medjugorje.” Part 2 will some along soon. Some miracles take a lifetime. Respecting fatherhood, likewise.
Speaking of miracles, last night I had a Jean miracle. Right here in Rochester. A very real vision. You came into the room I was in. You were the Jean of memory. Not young, not old – just right! It was like you had been there all along. We didn’t speak. We were completely understanding of each other and immediately embraced. Your eyes had longing and sadness in them, but were at the same time joyful. The whole episode was intense. I felt that we were deep in acceptance, and that our connection was secure, but not of all good or all bad – a balance would be my term. I am no longer wishy washy, I believe in miracles.
Here’s what I have been up to since our last conversation.
The person I referred to earlier as the wife of the man buried next to you, Kathryn McAlarney, as you already know has become my Bible mentor, is taking the summer off from her Bible classes, but recently returned from a trip to Israel where she went with her Bible mentor from Ascension Press. She told him of my project which I called: “getting the hay down to where the cows are.” The Skibootch stories are intimately tied up in that project, and in one of my dreams, I fancy that his path to redemption could contain some ways to reach people other than Catholics or Christians. I don’t know about that, but we will see.
Phil is almost completely taken up with his family in Washington and his girlfriend in New York. We did take in a performance of “Pirates of Penzance” on May 21st. Very well done.
Spent lots of time with Anne over the last 6 weeks. She seems quite well balanced and upbeat. She is currently spending a better part of a week with Michael and Michelle. We did take in a few things together besides our weekly lunches. I took her to one of the Dady Brothers concerts at St. Catherine of Siena Church. Remember, they are the ones who are leading the Ireland tour. We also went to Patty’s on my birthday. It happened to fall on the 30th this year. Lots of people, as she had her annual Memorial Day party at the same time. We attended the GCADA picnic at Roland and Roberta Paul’s house on Conesus Lake on June 5th. And on the 19th we wen’t to Mike’s Keuka Lake house to a 65th birthday party for Jud Prozeller. All in all, we spent a lot of time together.
Our New Horizons Band Concert on May 16th was the best ever. Some my classmate’s from the RIT writing class went, and they made known to the others in the class how they were blown over. Actually it was our best ever. We did songs from West Side Story, Chicago, and a medley of Benny Goodman classics.
Harry and I won at bridge at Victor. I got a great book by Dr. Timothy Johnson on his take on finding God. Went to a great house party at another RIT classmate’s house in Webster. He is a PTSD survivor from 27 years in the Army. A lot spent in combat in the Middle East. He has the cutest and most gentle therapy dog. Her name is Reagan, and I will attach a picture of her and me in my next conversation. She is so good.
A lot going on, and more to come.
Talk to you later.”