Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Revamped and refocused

For months, I have busied myself with submitting my novel to agents and publishers. So when I realized that I haven't posted on this blog for 6 months - yikes! - I knew it was time for an overhaul. I've redesigned the blog and plan to post opinion pieces about, as the heading says, people, freedoms, media, and what's truly important to me. Here goes:
Out of all the people I've met in my life, the one who influenced me most never spoke a word. She was the ultimate teacher, unashamedly showing her joy in the simple pleasures of a ray of sunshine, a forbidden cookie, or a bedtime ritual. In her, in my sister Joyce, I saw humanity stripped of its trappings, without status or clout and without an agenda for the future. Somehow, this freed her and she was truly able to live in the moment. If only I could accomplish that for a single day, a single hour.
My childhood with Joyce affected me profoundly. Professionally, I became a pediatric physical therapist because of Joyce, but on a personal level, Joyce taught me to see the person first then the disability, a philosophy made popular in recent years by 'people-first' language. She also taught me that she didn't need fixing - she wasn't broken - and against her brightness I saw that I, with my intact body and intelligence, needed some work. I still do.

7 comments:

  1. This is so awesome! It reminds me of our conversation at your house when you told me more about Joyce. I love this post. <3

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  2. what a beautiful entry Jeanne. I can really see how your sister affected your writing too. Your novel is wonderful and I know it will get published one day. You really convey a lot of your personal experience with your sister through your characters which I think is the ultimate challenge and ultimate achievement as a writer.

    Also, I'm glad to see you will be blogging again and about your opinions! You know how much I love them! haha :)

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  3. Thank you, Ariel and Lena, for taking the time to read and comment. And so quickly!

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  4. Well said. I think we all need work, but I'm certain that you need less than most. Great entry.

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  5. Jeanne...How very true...I experience the same with our sweet Kyle! It is indeed a great gift to be with one that lives just in this instant, is without ego and does not need to bow to standards, moraes or expectations...how freeing! It makes me realize that there is no such thing as disability...just differing abilities! In fact, we who judge others externally are truly less-abled....we learn much by acceptance, humility and gratitude. hugs, Sue Bernard

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  6. Beautiful, Jeanne! I'll look forward to reading more of your musings!

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  7. Jeanne...How very true...I experience the same with our sweet Kyle! It is indeed a great gift to be with one that lives just in this instant, is without ego and does not need to bow to standards, moraes or expectations...how freeing! It makes me realize that there is no such thing as disability...just differing abilities! In fact, we who judge others externally are truly less-abled....we learn much by acceptance, humility and gratitude. hugs, Sue Bernard

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