life-changing somethings

When the star of a tv show is introduced to the live studio audience, everybody goes crazy. It's expected. You're happy and excited to see a favorite performer come out on stage. When Lisa Jarmon was sitting in the audience of "The Ellen Show" eight years ago she did more than go crazy. Her energy was so great that the star herself noticed and had Lisa come down on stage.

If you have never watched Ellen DeGeneres on her daily talk show, let me tell you it is a regular feature to highlight regular folks and to give them incredible gifts. Lisa Jarmon was given an incredible gift. That first show though was just the beginning. In the years that followed, Lisa Jarmon appeared a number of times and received some hefty checks, a brand new car, and custom-built house. "When Ellen gives you something, she gives you life-changing somethings," said Lisa. How true that is!

I adore Ellen DeGeneres. She brings so much kindness and joy to our world. I agree with her about Lisa too. It was such a happy time seeing her positive perspective. We just heard some very sad news though. Lisa Jarmon has lost her battle with breast cancer.  I'm going to look for some videos of her appearances.  Thank you Ellen for all you continue to do, and thanks for bringing Lisa Jarmon our way.  The inspiring enthusiasm she had was such a great tonic for us all.  

A tireless advocate is gone

I was stunned and shocked to learn last night that Jeff Adachi had passed away.  Back on August 15, 2017 I wrote about him here, and I really should have mentioned him more often because he was what this blog is all about - a true giver.

I will always remember the first time I met him.  It was at a bus shelter on Polk Street in San Francisco.  He was running for Public Defender for the first time and was explaining why he wanted to hold that office.  There was a passion in his voice and it was immediately obvious to me that he cared about other people.  He was elected and for the past sixteen years has been a fighter for those who most needed a voice.

I'll remember his annual participation in San Francisco's LGBT Pride Celebration too and the fun he had atop various floats.

Of course I will remember his screen credits too, especially his films The Slanted Screen, You Don't Know Jack: The Jack Soo Story, and America Needs a Racial Facial.  Two years ago, a documentary called Defender followed a racially charged case that Adachi tried.

 

There are so many things I could write about Jeff Adachi as an attorney, especially his 33 years in the Public Defender's Office and his five terms running that office.  The phrase that comes to mind though is tireless advocate.  Even the guilty deserve their day in court and with Adachi you knew you had competent representation.

 

Condolences to his wife and daughter and to the people of San Francisco who have lost a great man.  Thank you Jeff for making a difference.

Thinking of those who have gone before

I miss my mom.  It's been nearly six years since she passed away, but I still miss her a lot.  I think of her on the anniversaries of her death and birth and also at Christmas, Easter, and even Valentine's Day.  I always got a Valentine from her!  Always.

 

Mom isn't the only one I think of.  I think of my dad, and he has been gone a lot longer.  I think of Nana and Grandpa, of Aunt Dee, of dear friends who died recently or others who have long been deceased.  Someone told be I had a serious problem, but that isn't the case.  It is normal to remember those who have gone before and to carry them in our hearts. 

In Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy, the character Arnold says to his mother that he misses his partner who was murdered. His mother replies "Give yourself time Arnold.  It gets better.  But Arnold it never goes away.  You can work longer hours, adopt a son, fight with me, whatever.  It'll still be there.  It becomes a part of you.  Like learning to wear a ring or eyeglasses.  You get used to it and that's good.  It's good because it makes sure you don't forget.  You don't want to forget him do you?

 

Never forget the wonderful folks you meet during life's journey.  Memories are precious and are an important part of life itself.

please give

You step out of the drugstore after picking up a bottle of water and some fresh batteries and notice a woman sitting on the sidewalk with two small children and a sign that reads "Help us.  Give whatever you can spare.  God bless."  You exit the BART station and a man with an outstretched hand asks if you can spare any change.  The cashier at the grocery store, before hitting the total key, asks if you would like to donate to a charity they are collecting for.  It seems like everywhere you go, someone is saying "Please give."

How many of us are just barely making ends meet ourselves?  How many of us wonder if we will someday have an outstretched hand asking for spare change?

Hardly a day goes by though that something amazing happens right in from of me.  I see people who don't even have two nickels to rub together, being more generous that those living in large houses with big bank accounts.  People, even poor people, find ways to give.  It isn't just money.  I have two apples and you have none, so I'll give you one of mine.  That kind of thing makes me smile.  The generosity of the human spirit is really quite remarkable.  I man with a paper cup who often is asking for spare change near where I work, has on several occasions bought food for a homeless woman in the neighborhood from the meager collection in his cup.  I had thought they knew each other the first time I saw it happen - then I saw her reaction and her tears.  That had apparently been their first meeting.  It was a moving experience for me.

Last night I ate in a restaurant.  I was dining alone and ordered more than I should have.  When it came time to pay I realized I had no cash at all and was happy that credit cards were welcome.  Outside with my leftovers minutes later, I was glad that I had ordered too much food.  I had something in my hands to give to that man whom I had witnessed bringing food to that woman.  Last night it was his turn to eat.

The answer is YES

Can I change the world? Someone actually questioned me about that. After reading this blog for a while, they sent me an email asking, "do you really think you can change the world?"

The answer of course is YES! I can and you can and all of us can if we get involved and if we do something and if we simply TRY to make a difference. Will sitting alone in a room and moaning about the things we don't like change anything? Probably not.

This blog does not give you all of the answers. I certainly don't have all of the answers. Nobody has all the answers. I never have pretended that to be the case. I don't think I am the authority on change or involvement or making a difference - I am just one voice. I do hope you will join me though. Some 6,000 people have already joined Josh in his efforts to help Thomas proving that together we can do so much more! (If you have no idea what that last sentence meant, you have been reading this recently.  Just click HERE and you can read the whole story and also donate if you wish).

I would love to hear your comments too. Occasionally I get an email, but you can comment right here too so that other readers can easily read your thoughts (and you can even do so anonymously). Changing the world for the better is something all of us should be interested in doing! Join us!

Sharing the food

The other day someone who reads these words send me a message saying I seemed to have all the answers. Goodness no! I don't think anyone has all the answers, but if we listen to others and keep our eyes open, a lot of those answers will become very obvious. Downtown yesterday I saw a number of people arriving at their church for worship. I noticed that they all seemed to be carrying something too - food. Some folks had big boxes of cereal and other had those multi-packs of instant noodles and some had bags that seems to have cans in them (tuna perhaps, or soup, or maybe vegetables). Now I don't know how often they do this, but even if it is just occasionally, what a great idea! Here's something anyone can participate in.

Yesterday afternoon while I was in the supermarket, I took note of some of the sale prices of food. Amazingly I found soup for a dollar or less and canned tuna was just sixty-nine cents! Outside the store I saw a vending machine that had canned beverages for thirty-five cents. For five dollars, I could buy a soda, five cans or tuna, and a can of soup, and still have money left. So I did it. Most of us can afford five bucks every now and then, and look how much food you can get. There are of course many other options, but that's just one example.

There is a small boutique in my old San Francisco neighborhood that did food drives occasionally and, to encourage participation, they gave discounts on their merchandise to folks who brought in canned goods. It was a win-win situation, and just about everyone put some cans in the barrel. People who didn't know ahead of time, would run across the street at a Walgreens store and pickup some sliced peaches or chicken broth or maybe a can of beef stew or chili. Such a simple act that makes such a big difference!

Here is one answer to hunger. The other day the US Postal Service did a collection. The church here in Kingman that I mentioned does it and that clothing store back in San Francisco, and they aren't the only places. We can even start some new collection programs where we live, if ones don't already exist. Perhaps you have some other suggestions. You are more than welcome to share them in the comments below.

Making a Difference One Cupcake at a Time

Writing this blog for over ten years, I have come across a lot of wonderful giving people, but when I heard about Jennifer Clark, the owner of Jen's Sweet Treats, I cried.  I have not met this woman, but from all accounts, she could easily be the posterperson for this blog.

 

There was a news story on Columbus, Ohio tv station WCMH4 about the community coming together to give a van to a local business owner and that business owner being moved to tears.  Good story, but there had to be more.  I did some checking and found that a LOT has been written about this businesswoman.

 

Some of what I found told about the delicious baked goods that Jennifer Clark creates and some was about the family history.  (Her father and mother had been bakers and her daughter has also joined in the business).  Almost every story I read and every review I saw for her bakery also praised her community involvement and her giving back.  She has raised money for the Wisconsin Humane Society, the families of fallen police officers, local youth sports, supported local firefighters, gave gifts to pediatric patients, and more. No wonder they wanted to give her that van!

 

On her facebook page, Jen gave thanks for the generous gift and said "Thanks to all of you my mission of 'Making a Difference One Cupcake at a Time' can continue!"  I simply have to meet this woman some day (and sample some of her treats too)!