Coming up on the end of 2014 AND getting ready to head back to New Orleans in a little more than a week, means the Good Things Jar has been in and out of my hands and all over 411. I looked at the almost overflowing post-its, torn off sheets of paper, folded two sided photos, and trinkets. I laughed. One would think it was a very "good" year for me by the amount of the contents of my Good Things Jar. 2014 has been a struggle at every turn. That very full Good Things Jar is an indicator of just how hard I had to work to focus on the positive this year.
And then, there it was...a baby picture of a man that I worked with when I volunteered in the Buddy Program at the NO/AIDS Task Force years ago. I also have a sweet one of him when he was a little older, and a copy of his last driver's license. He lives in my Good Things Jar every year.
I've shared his story before, but this one bears repeating:
Bedbound at Project Lazarus, I'd go to see him on a regular basis. Christmas of '91, Mom, Dad, and Kat came down to celebrate with us. I took Mom with me to Project Lazarus and the two of them became big friends.I knew that Mom was writing to him. Then one day, when I came for a visit he said: "I talked to Mom today." Now, I knew his Mom was dead and that they say that when we're ready to pass on it isn't unusual for us to begin seeing/feeling those we love who have already passed on. I said, "Sweetie, your Mom is dead." He looked at me like I was crazy and said: " No, you know. Mom, Mom in St. Louis." He meant MY Mom. Mom had called him. We had a good laugh. When he did pass on in May of '92, I was in Ferguson for a visit and a wedding. Once I returned to handle final arrangements and later, go through his things; I found at least a dozen cards and letters from Mom. I guess you could say she was OUR Mom.
Today, a slip of paper will go into my jar that will say MOM. And, that's enough!
I always love this story - I printed it out for Mom - we need to give it to her!
Posted by: Kathleen Bourgeois | 12/19/2014 at 06:13 PM
Hey Kat-me too! I was just thinking she could put it in their Good Things Jar! Glad you enjoyed it. I really loved seeing that sweet picture of him. I have the other one somewhere-it may be in the jar or it could be in New Orleans or France...who knows? This is the story of my life-Love, Moi
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | 12/19/2014 at 08:43 PM